Understanding Islamic marriage terminology is essential for anyone seeking marriage in Islam. This comprehensive glossary explains all the important terms, from nikah and wali to mahr and iddah, helping you navigate the Islamic marriage process with confidence.
Islamic marriage involves many specific terms and concepts that may be unfamiliar to those new to the process. This glossary provides clear definitions, Arabic terms, and practical examples to help you understand everything you need to know about Muslim marriage terminology.
The Islamic marriage contract. It is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman that makes lawful what was previously forbidden between them.
Nikah establishes the marital relationship, creates mutual rights and responsibilities, and provides the foundation for building a family in accordance with Islamic principles.
Example: The nikah ceremony was performed at the mosque with two witnesses present.
A guardian, typically the bride's father, grandfather, brother, or closest male relative, who gives consent for the marriage.
The wali acts on behalf of the bride (especially if she is a bikr/virgin) and ensures the marriage is conducted properly. In some schools of thought, a mature woman can act as her own wali under certain conditions.
Example: The bride's father acted as her wali and gave consent for the marriage.
The dowry or marriage gift given by the groom to the bride. It is obligatory in Islamic marriage and becomes the exclusive property of the wife.
Mahr can be money, property, teaching the Quran, or any valuable item. It must be specified in the marriage contract and can be given immediately (mahr mu'ajjal) or deferred (mahr mu'ajjal).
Example: The mahr was set at $5,000, to be paid at the time of marriage.
A person with whom marriage is permanently forbidden due to blood relationship, marriage relationship, or breastfeeding.
Mahram relationships include parents, siblings, children, uncles, aunts, and in-laws. One cannot marry a mahram, and certain Islamic rules (like hijab) are relaxed with mahrams.
Example: A woman's father, brother, and son are all mahram to her.
The waiting period a woman must observe after divorce or the death of her husband before she can remarry.
For divorce: 3 menstrual cycles (or 3 months if not menstruating). For widowhood: 4 months and 10 days. This period ensures there is no pregnancy from the previous marriage.
Example: She must complete her iddah of three months before she can remarry.
Offer and acceptance - the verbal contract that forms the basis of nikah. One party makes an offer and the other accepts.
This must be done in the same gathering. For bikr (virgin), explicit verbal consent is required. For thayyib (non-virgin), silence can be interpreted as acceptance.
Example: The groom said "I marry you" (ijab) and the bride responded "I accept" (qabul).
A virgin or unmarried woman who has never been married.
In Islamic jurisprudence, a bikr must give explicit verbal consent for marriage. Her silence is not considered acceptance.
Example: As a bikr, she must verbally consent to the marriage.
A woman who has been previously married (widow or divorcee).
A thayyib must give explicit verbal consent for marriage. Her silence is not considered acceptance due to her experience with marriage.
Example: As a thayyib, she must explicitly state her acceptance of the marriage proposal.
The standard or customary mahr - the amount typically given to women of similar status in the same community.
If mahr is not specified in the marriage contract, the woman is entitled to mahr al-mithl based on what is customary for women of her status.
Example: Since no mahr was specified, she received mahr al-mithl based on her family's status.
The wedding feast or celebration hosted by the groom after the nikah ceremony.
Walima is a Sunnah (recommended practice) that celebrates the marriage and announces it to the community. It can be a simple meal or an elaborate celebration.
Example: The walima was held the day after the nikah ceremony.
The marriage contract or agreement. It refers to the formal contract that establishes the nikah.
The aqd includes the offer, acceptance, witnesses, mahr specification, and other terms agreed upon by both parties.
Example: The aqd was signed by both parties in the presence of witnesses.
A form of divorce initiated by the wife, where she seeks to dissolve the marriage, often by returning the mahr or giving up some financial rights.
Khula is different from talaq (husband-initiated divorce). The wife requests the dissolution, and the husband agrees, often with some financial consideration.
Example: She sought khula from her husband and agreed to return the mahr.
Divorce initiated by the husband. It can be revocable (raj'i) or irrevocable (ba'in).
There are three types: Talaq al-Sunnah (proper divorce), Talaq al-Bid'ah (innovated divorce), and Talaq al-Thalatha (triple divorce). After three talaqs, the couple cannot remarry unless the woman marries and divorces another man first.
Example: He pronounced talaq, initiating the divorce process.
Revocable divorce - a divorce that can be taken back by the husband during the iddah period without a new nikah.
During the iddah period, the husband can revoke the divorce and the marriage continues. After iddah ends, it becomes irrevocable.
Example: Since it was talaq al-raj'i, he could revoke it during her iddah.
Irrevocable divorce - a divorce that cannot be revoked. A new nikah is required to remarry.
This occurs after the iddah period ends or when the divorce is final. To remarry, a new nikah contract must be performed.
Example: After the iddah ended, the divorce became talaq al-ba'in.
Testimony or witness. In marriage context, refers to the two witnesses required for nikah.
Two adult, sane, Muslim males (or one male and two females in Hanafi school) must witness the nikah contract for it to be valid.
Example: Two Muslim men provided shahada (witness) for the nikah ceremony.
An Islamic judge who can officiate marriages and handle Islamic legal matters.
While not always required, a qadi can officiate the nikah, ensure all conditions are met, and register the marriage properly.
Example: The qadi officiated the nikah and ensured all conditions were met.
Permissible or lawful according to Islamic law.
In marriage context, halal refers to what is allowed - such as halal interactions, halal methods of finding a spouse, and halal marriage practices.
Example: Finding a spouse through proper Islamic channels is halal.
Forbidden or unlawful according to Islamic law.
In marriage context, haram refers to what is prohibited - such as premarital relationships, certain types of marriages, or haram methods of finding a spouse.
Example: Premarital relationships are haram in Islam.
The teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In marriage, following the Sunnah means conducting marriage according to the Prophet's example - including proper procedures, walima, and marital conduct.
Example: Hosting a walima is a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Islamic law derived from the Quran and Sunnah.
Sharia governs all aspects of Muslim life, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and family matters. Marriage contracts must comply with Sharia principles.
Example: The marriage was conducted according to Sharia law.
Temporary marriage - a controversial practice that is considered haram (forbidden) by the majority of Sunni scholars.
While some groups consider it permissible, the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) all consider it prohibited. It was abrogated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Example: Mut'ah is considered haram by the majority of Islamic scholars.
Financial maintenance and support that a husband is obligated to provide for his wife.
Nafaqah includes housing, food, clothing, and other necessities. It is the husband's responsibility to provide for his wife according to his means and her needs.
Example: The husband is responsible for providing nafaqah (maintenance) for his wife.
Immediate mahr - the portion of mahr that is paid at the time of marriage or immediately after.
Mahr can be divided into immediate (mu'ajjal) and deferred (mu'ajjal) portions. The immediate portion is typically paid at the nikah ceremony.
Example: The mahr mu'ajjal of $2,000 was paid at the nikah ceremony.
Deferred mahr - the portion of mahr that is paid later, often at divorce or death.
This is the portion of mahr that is not paid immediately but is due at a specified time or upon certain events like divorce or the husband's death.
Example: The mahr mu'ajjal of $3,000 will be paid if divorce occurs.
A prayer for guidance when making important decisions, including marriage.
Muslims perform istikhara prayer to seek Allah's guidance before making decisions like choosing a spouse. It helps in making the right choice.
Example: She performed istikhara before accepting the marriage proposal.
Compatibility or equality in marriage - refers to compatibility in religion, social status, lineage, and other factors.
While not always strictly required, kafa'ah ensures compatibility between spouses. The most important aspect is religious compatibility.
Example: Kafa'ah ensures compatibility between the spouses in important matters.
Marriage - another term for nikah, meaning the union or joining of two people in marriage.
Zawaj is a general term for marriage in Arabic, while nikah specifically refers to the Islamic marriage contract.
Example: The zawaj was blessed and conducted according to Islamic principles.
The marriage contract - the formal agreement that establishes the nikah.
This is the complete term for the marriage contract, including all its components: offer, acceptance, witnesses, mahr, and conditions.
Example: The aqd al-nikah was completed with all required conditions.
A forbidden form of marriage where two men exchange their daughters or sisters in marriage without mahr.
This practice is haram (forbidden) in Islam. Each marriage must have its own proper mahr and cannot be exchanged for another marriage.
Example: Shighar is a forbidden practice in Islamic marriage.
A man who marries a divorced woman solely to make her lawful for her previous husband (after triple talaq).
This is a forbidden practice. A muhallil marriage is invalid and haram. The intention must be genuine marriage, not just to make the woman lawful for another.
Example: Muhallil marriages are forbidden and invalid in Islam.
Repentance - turning back to Allah and seeking forgiveness for sins.
In marriage context, tawbah is important for those who may have engaged in haram relationships before marriage. Allah accepts sincere repentance.
Example: She made tawbah for past mistakes and sought a halal marriage.
Blessing - divine blessing and spiritual benefit.
A marriage conducted properly according to Islamic principles brings barakah. Muslims seek barakah in their marriage for a blessed and successful union.
Example: May Allah grant barakah to their marriage.
The departure of the bride from her family home to her husband's home after marriage.
This is a cultural practice in some Muslim communities, particularly in South Asia. It marks the bride's transition to her new home.
Example: The rukhsati ceremony was held a week after the nikah.
Henna ceremony - a pre-wedding celebration where henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet.
This is a cultural tradition in many Muslim communities, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East. It's a joyful celebration before the wedding.
Example: The mehndi ceremony was held the night before the nikah.
Modest dress and behavior, particularly the head covering worn by Muslim women.
In marriage context, hijab rules apply when meeting potential spouses. A woman must observe hijab with non-mahram men, including potential suitors, until marriage.
Example: She maintained proper hijab when meeting potential suitors.
A person with whom marriage is not forbidden and with whom Islamic rules of modesty must be observed.
Non-mahrams are potential marriage partners. Women must observe hijab and maintain proper boundaries with non-mahram men.
Example: She maintained proper Islamic boundaries with non-mahram men.
Please consult with a certified Islamic scholar or your local imam regarding any specific questions about Islamic marriage terms, procedures, or requirements. Islamic jurisprudence can vary based on school of thought (madhhab), local customs, and individual circumstances. This glossary is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace proper Islamic guidance from qualified scholars.
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