What Is Nikah (Nikkah) In Islam?

You might be familiar with the term ‘Nikah’, but do you truly understand its profound significance in Islam? Nikah or Nikkah isn’t just a simple legal agreement. It’s a spiritual contract that binds a man and a woman in a sacred relationship recognized under Sharia law.

Nikah is the foundation of a Muslim family and a legal requirement for a couple to live together and engage in intimate relations. Grounded in Islamic teachings, Nikah encapsulates a civil agreement and a sacred commitment before Allah.

Nikah’s contract entails more than just mutual consent and the presence of witnesses; it includes a wide range of rights and responsibilities. Today, we will discuss Nikah in Islam and the proof of it corresponding to the Quran and Sunnah. So keep reading to find out more about this.

The Proof of Nikah According to the Quran and Sunnah

Drawing from the Quran and the teachings of the Sunnah, you’ll find clear evidence that supports the practice and principles of Nikah in Islam. The Quran explicitly addresses Nikah (marriage) in several verses, emphasizing its importance as a solemn covenant to ensure love and compassion between partners.

Allah SWT says:

وَأَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْأَيَـٰمَىٰ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَآئِكُمْ ۚ إِن يَكُونُوا۟ فُقَرَآءَ يُغْنِهِمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ ٣٢ وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ يُغْنِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبْتَغُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِمَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ فَكَاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًۭا ۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا۟ فَتَيَـٰتِكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْبِغَآءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًۭا لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَمَن يُكْرِههُّنَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِكْرَٰهِهِنَّ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ٣٣

“Marry off the ˹free˺ singles among you, as well as the righteous of your bondmen and bond-women. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing. And let those who do not have the means to marry keep themselves chaste until Allah enriches them out of His bounty.

And if any of those ˹bonds-people˺ in your possession desires a contract ˹to buy their own freedom˺, make it possible for them, if you find goodness in them. And give them some of Allah’s wealth which He has granted you. Do not force your ˹slave˺ girls into prostitution for your own worldly gains while they wish to remain chaste. And if someone coerces them, then after such a coercion Allah is certainly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful ˹to them˺.” [Surah An-Nur: 32 & 33]

Also, Allah SWT says:

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَٱلْـَٔـٰنَ بَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ ١٨٧

“It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights preceding the fast. Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them. Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves. So He has accepted your repentance and pardoned you. So now you may be intimate with them and seek what Allah has prescribed for you.

˹You may˺ eat and drink until you see the light of dawn breaking the darkness of night, then complete the fast until nightfall. Do not be intimate with your spouses while you are meditating in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not exceed them. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to people, so they may become mindful ˹of Him˺.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 187]

Also, Surah Al-Rum (30:21) highlights how Allah (SWT) has created spouses for individuals from among themselves to find tranquility and has placed affection and mercy between them, signifying the sacred bond of Nikah.

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said:

“The Messenger of Allah said to us: ‘O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity, and whoever cannot then he should fast, for it will be a restraint (wija’) for him.’” [Sunan an-Nasa’i 3209] [Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)]

This combined guidance from the Quran and Sunnah forms a comprehensive framework for Nikah, illustrating its value and positioning it as a central element of social and personal ethics in Islam.

What are the Nikah Requirements in the Quran?

Having explored the scriptural basis of Nikah, let’s examine the specific requirements for this marriage ritual as outlined in the Quran.

Central to the Quranic stipulations is the bride and groom’s mutual consent. You must enter your marriage freely, without coercion from family or others. This ensures your commitment is genuine, a foundation of sincerity and free will. According to the Messenger PBUH’s hadith, narrated by Abu Huraira,

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! How can we know her permission?” He said, “Her silence (indicates her permission). [Sahih al-Bukhari: 5136 & Sahih Muslim: 1419a]

Aside from that, at least two male witnesses during the ceremony are mandatory. These witnesses, who can be your father, elder brother, or uncle, help validate that you and your partner are open with your acceptance of marriage, usually through “I do” or “Qubool” in Islamic tradition.

What is a Nikah Contract?

A Nikah contract is a formal agreement that underscores mutual respect, love, and adherence to Islamic principles between you and your spouse, setting forth rights and responsibilities. This contract isn’t merely a document but a sacred covenant that mirrors your profound commitment to one another under Islamic law.

It carefully delineates each partner’s duties and entitlements, ensuring a clear understanding of what each expects from the other. The essence of this contract is to foster a harmonious and lasting relationship built on the foundations of mutual understanding, trust, and love.

Is Wali Required for Nikah?

While discussing the components of a Nikah contract, consider whether a wali is necessary for its validity. You should know that a wali serves as the bride’s lawful guardian during the proceedings of the Nikah. The role of the wali varies significantly among different Islamic schools of thought.

In the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence, the presence and approval of a wali are crucial. These schools hold that a Nikah performed without the wali’s consent is considered invalid. They emphasize that the wali’s primary role is to protect the bride’s interests, ensuring the marriage agreement is just and beneficial.

Conversely, the Hanafi school offers a different perspective. According to Hanafi rulings, a woman possesses the autonomy to enter into a marriage contract without the need for her wali’s permission. This view supports the idea that adults or widows can make their own decisions regarding marriage.

Does Nikkah Count as Married in the UK?

You might wonder if a Nikah ceremony means you’re legally married in the UK; however, understand that UK law doesn’t recognize this religious marriage as civil. While the Nikah is a significant Islamic ritual that formalizes marriage within the Muslim community, its recognition stops at religious boundaries and doesn’t extend to legal ones in the UK.

In the eyes of UK law, a couple who’s only performed a Nikah ceremony and has not undergone a civil marriage is considered cohabiting. This means you don’t enjoy the same legal protections and rights as those conferred by a civil marriage.

For instance, issues related to inheritance, tax benefits, and next-of-kin status in medical scenarios operate differently for you than for legally married couples. To ensure your marriage is recognized legally in the UK, you need to have a civil ceremony in addition to your Nikah.

This dual approach secures your marital status both religiously and legally. Remember, while the emotional and spiritual commitments made during a Nikah are deeply significant, pairing it with a civil ceremony is essential for state recognition and the accompanying legal benefits.

Embracing the Sanctity of Nikah: A Harmonious Union Rooted in Divine Principles

Nikah isn’t merely a legal formality but a profound union blessed by divine guidance. It embodies mutual consent, spiritual commitment, and societal acknowledgment, all orchestrated under the watchful principles of the Quran and Sunnah.

Whether forming this sacred bond or recognizing it within societal frameworks like those in the UK, Nikah serves as the cornerstone of a harmonious matrimonial life deeply rooted in Islamic ethics and compassion.

Omar Abdullah, a prolific writer specializing in Islamic marriage and relations content, weaves insightful narratives that blend profound religious principles with practical guidance. With a unique ability to articulate the beauty of Islamic values, Omar Abdullah’s work inspires individuals to navigate the complexities of relationships while staying true to their faith.

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