Nikah
Also known as: Nikah ceremony, Muslim wedding
The Islamic marriage contract ceremony — performed in front of a Qazi (officiant) and witnesses, with formal proposal, acceptance, and the mehr (gift to the bride).
📍 Muslim weddings, pan-India
About Nikah
Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract ceremony, the religious act that constitutes a Muslim marriage. The ceremony is contractual in nature and includes:
- Ijab and Qubool — the proposal from the groom's side and the bride's formal acceptance, asked three times by the Qazi
- Mehr — a mandatory financial gift from the groom to the bride, agreed in the marriage contract
- Witnesses — at least two adult Muslim witnesses
- Sermon (khutba) — the Qazi reads verses from the Quran and offers blessings
- Signing of the nikah-nama — the formal marriage document, signed by bride, groom, witnesses, and Qazi
Nikah is typically a sober, formal occasion — distinct from the walima (reception) which is the celebratory feast. Many families separate men and women during the nikah, with the bride represented by a wakeel (proxy) who relays her consent.
Related terms
- Walima — The Islamic wedding reception, hosted by the groom's family the day after the Nikah — a celebratory feast for extended family, friends, and community.
- Mehendi — A pre-wedding ceremony where intricate henna designs are applied to the bride's hands and feet — typically a daytime women-centric event with music, snacks, and photography.
- Mehfil — A traditional Indo-Persian gathering for poetry, music, and conversation — historically central to Muslim and courtesan culture, now adapted as a pre-wedding event in some modern Indian weddings.