Nikah

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Nikah or nikkah (Arabic: النكاح ), is the contract between a bride and bridegroom and part of an Islamic marriage, a strong covenant (mithaqun Ghalithun) as expressed in Qur'an 4:21).

The first part of the marriage ceremony, Nikah, is the signing of the marriage contract itself.

Various traditions may differ in how Nikah is performed because different groups accept different texts as authoritative. Therefore, Sunnis will likely accept Bukhari Hadith while Shia will have their own collections, for example Furu al-Kafi, thus producing different procedures. This contract requires the consent of both parties if they are adults. There is a tradition, outside of the religion, in some Muslim countries to pre-arrange a marriage for young children, however, the marriage still requires consent when the wedding actually goes ahead. A nikah allows both parties to add conditions. Islam does allow divorce so this contract is revocable. Marriage is seen as a necessity in Islam and is seen as helpful in avoiding zina (extramarital sex), or cruelty. An unofficial marriage that does not inform the public is called the nikah urfi.

Although the Shari'a stipulates that a man may take up to four wives, this is uncommon in most Islamic societies. In many of the more modernised Islamic states (e.g. Jordan) polygamy is confined mainly to the least developed rural areas where traditional values and ways of life still hold sway, while some in the elit in the House of Saud have several wives.

1 See also
2 Mahram
3 External links
4 References

[edit] See also

Walima (Marriage banquet)
Islamic view of marriage
Nikah urfi
Nikah Mut‘ah ( A Islamic Contract Marriage)
Ketubah (A Jewish Marriage contract.)

The Qur'an does not stipulate a limit for the number of wives allowed to a man {4:3-And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you - [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one - or [from among] those whom you rightfully possess. This will make it more likely that you will not deviate from the right course}.

[edit] Mahram

A Mahram is a close relative who is not allowed to marry other relatives. Maharam is of two kinds: Permanet Maharams, who are blood realtives and Temporary Mahrams are related through marriage.