Here’s How to Have a Successful Nikkah Ceremony

If you're involved in the Islamic faith and engaged, you know that the nikkah is one of the most important Muslim wedding ceremony rituals. This custom, also spelled nikah, is necessary because it makes the to-be-weds' partnership official. But even though you've heard of this sacred tradition, do you know how to plan it? If the answer is "no," don't worry. We spoke with an expert in Islam to give us the rundown on the ceremony so you and your partner will be well-versed and prepared.

After you're done taking notes, head over to The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find someone to officiate your nikkah. Type in your wedding location, use the "religious affiliations" filter and click "Muslim" to get the ball rolling.

In this article: What Is a Nikkah? | How to Have a Nikkah Ceremony | When Does the Nikkah Ceremony Take Place? | Sunni vs. Shia Nikkahs

What Is a Nikkah?

The nikkah (or nikah) is an Islamic marriage ceremony. "The nikah ceremony is to unite a couple in marriage by professing and signing an agreement between the couple. It's officiated by an imam, a leader in the faith community, and joins the couple as spouses," explains Teresa Hadjali, the director of operations at the Muslim Society of Delaware Valley. Important note: The nikah wedding ceremony isn't legally binding, which means you'll still need to get a marriage license. The ceremony only marries the couple under Islamic law, which is required for Muslim to-be-weds.

Photo: Christina McNeill

How to Have a Nikkah Ceremony

Hadjali says that a nikah ceremony usually isn't that long, sometimes only 30 minutes. However, if the event is followed by a reception, it could be two to three hours. But what happens during the nikkah wedding ceremony and what's required for this typically short and sweet custom? Keep reading to find out.

Ensure Ceremony Requirements Are Met

There are several elements that need to be taken care of (in no particular order) before you and your partner can have your nikah marriage.

• Mutual consent: "Both parties must take part in the nikkah of their own voluntary will," says Hadjali. Mutual consent, the agreement that the couple wants to marry one another, is crucial for the ceremony to happen. Hadjali adds that an extension of this requirement is that the couple must submit their marriage license to show they're both free to marry."
• Imam to officiate: Wondering who can officiate a nikkah? "Traditionally, an imam agrees to officiate the ceremony as long as the groom is Muslim, regardless of whether the bride professes to be Muslim or not. If the groom isn't Muslim, the imam would refer the couple to a different officiant," says Hadjali. (Psst. Here's some multicultural wedding planning advice for couples from different backgrounds.)
• Mahr: Nikkah gifts, also called mahr, is when the groom is obligated to give the bride money or any present of her choosing, like a vacation or education. "A dowry for the wife must be included in the ceremony. She agrees to accept the amount or offer during the ceremony. However, it's not necessary to announce the agreed amount in public," says Hadjali.
• Two witnesses: For the nikkah, how many witnesses are necessary? You'll need at least two male adult witnesses or one man and two women, and they must know the couple personally. During the verbal agreement and nikkah contract signing portion of the ceremony, these people are there to confirm that both parties are marrying of their volition.
• Wali: Traditionally, the bride must have a wali present to "give her away." This person is the legal guardian or representative of the bride, typically her father. The wali must have permission from the bride to take on this role.
• Nikkah nama: The final important detail you'll need is the nikkah nama, the marriage contract. This document should have all of the martial promises you and your partner agreed upon written on it. Get a custom one created (you can find lots of them on Etsy) or print a template before the ceremony so you'll be prepared.

Choose a Venue

Hadjali says it's customary for the ceremony to take place in a mosque with family and friends. She adds it's also not uncommon to plan a nikah ceremony at a selected venue such as a social or banquet hall. Find your nikah venue on The Knot Vendor Marketplace by entering your wedding location, selecting "more filters" and clicking "religious setting."

Decide If You Want Photography

If you look up "nikkah" on search engines, you might notice there's not many photos of the ceremony. Does this mean photography isn't allowed at a nikkah? Well, yes and no. "Yes, pictures can be taken during the ceremony, but some Muslims don't allow pictures of people. But overall that isn't the most common position on the matter. In the end, it's up to the couple," says Hadjali.

Start the Ceremony

Depending on how conservative you or your family are and the mosque's rules, the guests might be separated by gender with the help of a nikkah partition. If this isn't your situation, the couple can sit next to one another on a stage and have their guests sit together.

Hadjali says that the imam starts the ceremony with a brief sermon to the couple and guests, which lasts about 20 minutes. During this time, the imam recites prayers and readings about marriage from the Quran.

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Verbally Accept the Marriage

This is the time when the imam asks each party if they agree to the terms of the marriage and dowry—Hadjali notes that this is similar to a traditional wedding vow exchange. It's tradition for the nikkah nama to be read to the bride first who must then say "I accept" (or "qabool hai" for couples doing South Asian Muslim wedding planning) three times, then it's the groom's turn to do the same.

Sign Marriage Contract

After the verbal agreement, the nikkah papers are ready to be signed. This moment makes your and your partner's marriage official under Islamic law. If you're okay with having a photographer at your nikkah, this is the perfect photo opportunity.

Blessing

To finish the ceremony, the imam says a short prayer for the couple. This blessing only lasts a few minutes, and then the couple is presented to their guests as newlyweds.

Photo: Christina McNeill

When Does the Nikkah Ceremony Take Place?

There isn't a specific day or time required for the nikkah ceremony. Some couples like to host this event on a Friday (considered the most blessed day of the week) or before or after Asr prayer. You can also perform the custom on a day by itself or have it before the wedding reception.

The Difference Between Sunni and Shia Nikkahs

Sunni and Shiite Muslims come from different religious and cultural backgrounds. This means that Sunni and Shiite Muslims are usually discouraged from marrying one another by religious authorities. One of the ways the two Islamic branches vary is how they perform their nikkahs. See what four ceremony elements the Sunnis and Shiites do differently.

• Duration: A Shia nikkah ceremony is typically longer than the Sunni nikkah ceremony.
• Witnesses: Sunni nikkahs require two witnesses for the ceremony, while Shia nikkahs don't need any witnesses.
• Readings and acts: At Shia nikkahs the Quran must be recited along with the six kalimas (basic Muslim beliefs)––this isn't a requirement at Sunni nikkahs. Unlike at Sunni nikkahs, it's mandatory for Shiite couples to perform a ghusl before the ceremony. (A ghusl is a ritual bath done before acts of worship and other instances to purify oneself, physically and spiritually, from impurities.)
• Contracts: The Sunni's marriage contract is called nikah misyar, which is nontraditional and requires the to-be-weds to voluntarily give up some of their rights, such as financial support or living together. Sometimes these types of marriages are temporary and end if a divorce occurs or if a marriage expiration date was agreed upon by the couple. The Shiites also have a temporary marriage contract that's called nikah mut'ah. The couple must settle on an expiration date (which can be any length of time). Once the expiration date arrives, the marriage dissolves. Also, mut'ah marriages can be made permanent at any point.