Comprehensive Definition
Nikah (ููุงุญ): In Islamic law and culture, Nikah denotes the solemn, contractual marriage between a man and a woman. It is both a legal arrangement providing mutual rights and responsibilities and a sacred covenant blessed with religious significance.
Etymology
The Arabic term Nikah (ููุงุญ) comes from the root ู ู ุญ (n-k-h), which traditionally means ’to marry’ or ‘marriage.’
Background
Nikah is not just a human social contract but an act of Ibadah (worship), with numerous Hadiths and verses in the Qurโan emphasizing its significance and divine blessings.
- Qur’anic Foundation: The Quran states, “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.โ (Qurโan 30:21).
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Similarities:
- Vows and Feasts: Most cultures have vows and celebratory feasts.
- Symbolic Gifts: Exchange of rings or other tokens of love.
- Legal and Social Binding: Emphasis on the legal and social bonds of marriage.
Differences:
- Ceremony Specificity: The Nikah includes specific religious elements including recitation from the Qur’an and acknowledgment from witnesses.
- Mehr (Mahr): A mandatory gift or dowry from the groom to the bride, symbolizing respect and affection.
Synonyms
- Matrimony
- Wedlock
- Conjugality
Antonyms
- Divorce
- Separation
- Singleness
Related Terms
- Mehr (Mahr): The dowry given by the groom to the bride.
- Walimah: The marriage banquet or feast held after the wedding.
- Mut’ah: A temporary marriage in some Islamic traditions.
- Talaq: Islamic term for divorce.
Exciting Facts
- A Nikah can be held in various settings, from a grand hall to a mosque or home.
- The Nikah is accompanied by multiple pre-wedding ceremonies and post-wedding celebrations.
Quotations from Notable Writers
- โA successful marriage is built daily, not in a grand display of affection, but in a constant stream of sincere actions.โ โ Jalaluddin Rumi
Suggested Literature and Other Sources for Further Studies
- “The Rights and Duties in Islam” by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
- “Women and the Koran: The Status of Women in Islam” by Anwar Hekmat
- โMarriage and Family in Islamโ by Allamah Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi
Inspirational Parting Thought
Marriage in Islam encapsulates profound devotion to one another and to Allah. May every Nikah journey be filled with peace, affection, and mutual respectโhallmarks of divine partnership.
Farewell Thought: May your study of Islamic matrimony inspire you to recognize the deep spiritual and social significance embedded within every union. Marriages, after all, are not just ties of this world but bonds held dear in the divine fabric of the universe. ๐
