What Are the Exact Words Used in the Nikah Process?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
What are the specific words used in the nikah process for the groom, bride, and tahkim? Is there a particular phrase the bride must convey to the tahkim?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
A meaningful marriage contract includes four essential elements: offer, acceptance, specification of the Mahr, and the presence of witnesses for the validity of the marriage. An officiator to conduct the marriage is also involved, though this last element is not essential.
In a marriage contract, either the groom or the bride can make the offer and acceptance. A marriage can be completed in a very short while. According to the Hanafi School of thought, it is not necessary to mention the marriage payment (Mahr) during the contract, as it is implied. Additionally, at least two male witnesses, or one male and two female witnesses, are required to validate the marriage.
Marriage Contract (Nikah)
Marriage is concluded and contracted with the offer and acceptance in the presence of two male witnesses or one male and two female witnesses. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Maydani, al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha’ Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
Related
- The Elements of Meaningful Marriage Contracts
- A Guide to Marriage: SeekersGuidance Reader
- Etiquette of Marriage: A Comprehensive …
- What Are the Conditions for the Witnesses in a Marriage …
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
