The Complete Sharʿī Method of Nikāḥ According to Qurʾān and Sunnah
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Nikāḥ ke Masāʾil, Volume 1, Page 312
❓ Question:
Please explain the Sharʿī method of performing nikāḥ (marriage).
✅ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
In the light of the Qurʾān and Sunnah, the Sharʿī procedure of nikāḥ is outlined below with the help of Allah’s guidance:
◈ The Sharʿī Method of Nikāḥ:
✿ Contract of Nikāḥ:
Marriage should be solemnized according to Sharʿī principles.
✿ Consent of the Groom:
The groom’s approval and willingness are essential.
✿ Consent of the Bride:
The bride’s consent and willingness are equally mandatory.
✿ Consent of the Bride’s Walī (Guardian):
The Sharʿī guardian (walī) of the bride must approve and permit the marriage.
✿ Determination of Mahr (Dowry):
Mahr—the obligatory gift from the groom to the bride—must be stipulated.
✿ Presence of Just Witnesses:
Two upright and trustworthy witnesses must be present at the time of nikāḥ.
✿ Walīmah (Marriage Feast):
After nikāḥ, holding a walīmah (marriage banquet) is Sunnah.
✿ Chastity and Purity of Both Parties:
Both bride and groom should be pious, modest, and free from sinful lifestyles.
✿ Faith of the Groom:
The groom must be a Muslim.
✿ Faith of the Bride:
The bride must be either a Muslim or from the People of the Book (Jew or Christian).
✿ Adornment of the Bride:
It is also prescribed that the bride be adorned with jewelry at the time of nikāḥ.
✖ Non-Sharʿī Customs to Avoid:
Practices such as:
- Baraat processions
- Dowry (jahāʾiz)
- Other cultural rituals
These are not part of Sharīʿah and are absent in Qurʾān and Sunnah, hence they should be avoided.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
