What does Nikah mean?
The marriage contract: offer and acceptance before witnesses, with a mahr.
Nikah explained
Marriage is half of faith, the Prophet ﷺ said. The nikah needs the consent of both, the bride's wali, two witnesses, and the mahr. The khutbah of need, three verses on taqwa, opens it, and the walimah feast follows.
Related terms
- Mahrمَهْر
The gift a husband gives his wife at marriage, hers alone.
- Waliوَلِيّ
A guardian, especially the bride's guardian in marriage; also a close friend of Allah.
- Walimahوَلِيمَة
The wedding feast given by the groom after the nikah.
- Mahramمَحْرَم
A relative one can never marry, and in whose presence hijab is not required.
Questions about Nikah
What does Nikah mean?
Nikah (نِكَاح, Nikah) means: The marriage contract: offer and acceptance before witnesses, with a mahr.
How is Nikah written and pronounced in Arabic?
It is written نِكَاح and pronounced Nikah. It is also spelled Islamic marriage.
Where does Nikah come from in the Quran or hadith?
Marriage is half of faith, the Prophet ﷺ said. The nikah needs the consent of both, the bride's wali, two witnesses, and the mahr. The khutbah of need, three verses on taqwa, opens it, and the walimah feast follows. Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5090; Al-Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al-Iman 5486.
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