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| Nikah: Step-by-Step Guide to an Islamic Marriage |
🕋 Islamic Marriage Flow Chart (Step-by-Step)
🔹 Step 1: Intention (Niyyah)
↓
🔹 Step 2: Family Proposal
➤ Groom’s family approaches bride’s family with respect
➤ Discuss values, deen, compatibility
➤ If both agree → move to next step
↓
🔹 Step 3: Istikhara (Seek Allah’s Guidance)
➤ Both families perform Istikhara prayer
➤ Proceed if hearts feel content
↓
🔹 Step 4: Formal Agreement
➤ Families agree on Mahr (dower)
➤ Set Nikah date
↓
🔹 Step 5: Nikah Ceremony
➤ Khutbah (sermon)
➤ Ijab & Qabul (offer & acceptance)
➤ Witnesses (2 Muslim males or 1 male + 2 females)
➤ Nikah Nama signed
↓
🔹 Step 6: Duas and Congratulations
➤ Make dua for blessings
➤ Simple celebration encouraged
🔹 What is Prohibited:
🚫 Free mixing of genders
🚫 Music or dancing that violates modesty
🚫 Extravagant spending
🚫 Imitating non-Islamic rituals
🚫 Showing off or arrogance
✅ What is Allowed:
🌸 Hosting family and friends modestly
🌸 Serving food (Walima)
🌸 Making dua for the couple
🌸 Reciting Quran, Nasheeds, or duff (without sinful lyrics)
🌸 Publicly announcing the Nikah
↓
🔹 Step 7: Walima (Wedding Feast)
➤ Sunnah feast hosted by groom
➤ Community invited
➤ Expression of gratitude and joy
↓
🔹 Step 8: Start of Married Life
➤ Build home with love, mercy, and taqwa
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Nikah: Step-by-Step Guide to an Islamic Marriage |
🕌 Nikah: Step-by-Step Guide to an Islamic Marriage
The Sacred Contract of Tranquility and Mercy
"And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy."
— Quran 30:21
🟡 Introduction
Nikah in Islam is far more than a legal bond — it is a sacred covenant, a path to tranquility (sakinah), love (mawaddah), and mercy (rahmah). It’s an act of worship, rooted in divine guidance from the Quran and Sunnah.
By following the proper Islamic process, both spouses receive barakah (blessings), protection, and a foundation of mutual respect and responsibility.
1. ✨ Pre-Marriage Requirements
1.1 💛 Consent: Willing Hearts, Not Forced Hands
"O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion..."
— Quran 4:19The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A previously married woman has more right concerning herself than her guardian, and a virgin’s consent must be asked…”
— (Sahih Muslim 1421)
✅ Both the bride and groom must give free and willing consent.
🚫 Forced marriages are invalid in Islam.
1.2 🛡️ Wali (Guardian): The Protector of Honor
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no marriage except with a guardian…”
— (Sunan Ibn Majah 1881)
The Wali, usually the father or closest male relative, ensures the bride’s:
- Honor and interests are protected
- Marriage aligns with Islamic values
1.3 💍 Mahr (Dower): A Gift of Respect
"And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously..."
— Quran 4:4The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Search for something, even if it is an iron ring.”
— (Sahih Bukhari 5121)
💠 The Mahr is a mandatory gift from the groom to the bride — a sign of respect, not a price.
📝 It can be money, gold, property, or even spiritual acts (like teaching Quran).
2. 🕋 The Nikah Ceremony — Step by Step
2.1 📖 Khutbah (Marriage Sermon)
The Nikah begins with a short Khutbah, praising Allah and reminding all to be God-conscious.
🕌 Sunnah: The Prophet ﷺ recited verses that emphasize taqwa and responsibility.
2.2 🤝 Ijab and Qabul (Offer and Acceptance)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Offer and acceptance are the means of contracting marriage.”
— (Sahih Bukhari)
💬 The Wali offers the bride in marriage, and the groom accepts — usually repeated three times aloud.
📜 The Mahr is mentioned and agreed upon.
2.3 👥 Witnesses: A Transparent Contract
“There is no marriage except with a guardian and two trustworthy witnesses.”
— (Sahih Ibn Hibban 4075)
🧾 Two adult Muslim witnesses are required (two males, or one male and two females).
This ensures public acknowledgment and legal validity.
2.4 📝 Nikah Nama (Marriage Contract)
The written contract includes:
- Full names of bride and groom
- Agreed Mahr
- Signatures of bride, groom, Wali, and witnesses
📄 Acts as a record of the sacred covenant.
3. 🌿 Post-Marriage Sunnah and Etiquette
3.1 📜 Registration (Recommended)
Although not a religious obligation, registering the Nikah with legal authorities ensures protection of rights.
3.2 🍽️ Walima (Wedding Feast)
The Prophet ﷺ said to Abdur-Rahman ibn ‘Auf:
“Give a wedding banquet, even if with one sheep.”
— (Sahih Bukhari 5167)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Announce this marriage, and perform it in the mosque, and beat the duff over it.”
— (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1089 – Hasan)
✅ This shows that public announcement and simple permissible joy is allowed.
Hosting a Walima is a Sunnah — a way to show gratitude, share joy, and strengthen community bonds.
4. 📘 Additional Considerations
4.1 🕊️ Interfaith Marriages
"And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you..."
— Quran 5:5
🧕 Muslim women must marry Muslim men.
👳 Muslim men may marry chaste women from People of the Book (Jews/Christians), but faith compatibility is vital.
4.2 ⚖️ Polygamy (With Justice)
"Marry women of your choice, two, three, or four; but if you fear you will not be just, then [marry only] one..."
— Quran 4:3
Polygamy is permitted but requires absolute justice.
If justice cannot be ensured, monogamy is the safer and preferred path.
🟦 Islamic Marriage Etiquette
-
🕋 Sincerity (Niyyah):
“Actions are judged by intentions…” — (Sahih Bukhari 1)
-
🌸 Simplicity and Modesty:
“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils…” — (Quran 17:27)
-
📖 Seeking Knowledge:
Understand rights and responsibilities before marriage. Counseling and education are highly encouraged.
📖 Quranic Inspiration for Marriage
- Surah An-Nisa (4:3): “If you fear that you will not deal justly… then [marry only] one…”
- Surah Ar-Rum (30:21): “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates…”
- Surah An-Nur (24:32): “And marry the unmarried among you…”
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:221): “Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe…”
- Surah Al-Ahzab (33:35): “Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women… for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”
💡 Reflection
Nikah is a divine gift — a path to tranquility, companionship, and spiritual growth.
Approach it with pure intention, simplicity, and trust in Allah’s wisdom.
May every union be a source of barakah, love, and mercy.
🤲 May Allah bless every couple with understanding, patience, and a home filled with faith and peace.
🏷️ Tags:
Nikah, Islamic Marriage, Marriage in Islam, Wedding Sunnah, Nikah Guide, Quran, Hadith, Wali, Mahr, Walima, Islamic Lifestyle
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
(Qur’an 20:114)
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ،
وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهُ،
وَلَا تَجْعَلْهُ مُلْتَبِسًا عَلَيْنَا فَنَضِلَّ
“O Allah, show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it. Show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the ability to avoid it. Do not make it unclear to us, lest we go astray.”
اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ كَمَا أَمَرْتَ،
وَكَمَا صَلَّى نَبِيُّنَا مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ
وَارْزُقْنَا الْخُشُوعَ وَالْإِخْلَاصَ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ.
🌸 Jazakumullahu Khayran for reading.
🌙 May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
✍️ Written By:
Rizwan Ibn Ali Abdullah
Student of Islam and Science | Researcher | Thinker | Against Sectarianism | Reviving Ummah | Qur'an and Sunnah
© 2019– Rizwan Ibn Ali Abdullah. All Rights Reserved.
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