Q&A for How to Perform Nikah

So, Nikah, for it to be done, there's condition number one: she needs to give her permission. She has authority in this; if she says no, the wedding's over. Number two, the groom also needs to want to get married. Number three: it needs the permission of the guardian of the bride. And number four, it needs two witnesses. These are the preconditions. But once these happen in a marriage, what needs to be done? So the father of the bride is going to say I would be with you, my daughter. And the groom will then say, I accept the marriage of your daughter while two witnesses are there, and that's it.

Mahr doesn't have to be given to the bride at the ceremony. It can be deferred to any time in the future. It can even be deferred indefinitely if the two of you agreed to that (although it would become payable immediately upon death or divorce). But yes, it would be possible for her family to collect it on her behalf, if that was her wish.

Assuming that you are a woman, it is possible for you to marry a Muslim man if you are a Christian or Jewish woman, provided you are willing to agree that your children will be raised Muslim. If you are of any other religion (or if you consider yourself agnostic or atheist), however, then no—you cannot marry a Muslim man without converting to Islam.

It will be a part of your contract, but it might not be stated publicly as part of the Nikah—especially if the couple doesn't want to. However, you do have to declare that it exists. You just don't necessarily have to go into detail about what it is.

No, the groom must be present to accept the Nikah. Technically, the Nikah can be performed without the bride's presence (with only her male representative, usually her father, there on her behalf). However, this is seldom done. Most imams want both the bride and groom to be present.

After the nikah, the couple are now, Islamically, officially married. They are allowed to be together.

Contact an imam at a local mosque; tell him your situation. He will act as your wali.

Of course! Allah understands why you may have chosen to do this and accepts all.

No. Muslim women are not allowed to marry non-Muslim men unless they convert to Islam before the marriage.

This is permissible. According to the Hanafi school of thought, the proper procedure would be that one of the two parties select an individual to be their representative in the physical location of the other party.

You will need a wali, which is usually a father but can also be a brother or imam. Marrying without your parents knowing (secret marriage) is a not permitted and may break family ties. The Prophet said that a nikah without a wali is "invalid". So, you cannot marry without a wali.

You can have the wedding however you wish, as long as the core Islamic parts are fulfilled. Try to compromise between both families, and don't let the issue of religion get in the way of the marriage.

No. This nikah will never be valid, because a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man.

No, you need an imam to perform the nikah. There must also be witnesses present. If you are female, then you also need a wali.

Premarital sexual intercourse is a major sin in Islam. Allah says in the Quran, “And do not come (even) close to adultery, for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).” (Surah al-Isra, V: 32). As far as the child is concerned, if the child is born six months or more after the time of marriage (nikah), paternity will be established and the child will be attributed to the husband. However, if the child is born before six months have elapsed, it will not be attributed to the husband. You can (it's strongly recommended) get married to her, but your child will be an illegitimate child and there will be further laws regarding inheritance and the like due to this.

Yes, he is your guardian and the closest male figure to you, therefore he can serve as your wali.

Yes, but if your father is still alive and present in nikah, he is obliged to be a wali rather than a witness.

You will need to get divorced from your husband before you can marry your boyfriend.

Since you are a Christian, your kids and your relationship should be halal according to Islamic shari'ah rulings.

This will vary depending on the mosque. Some might even be free of cost. Check out the local ones near you and ask.

Yes, and no. A Muslim man can marry a (Christian or Jewish) woman from the People of the Book, but not vice versa (a woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man.)

A Nikah is valid when all of the requirements are fulfilled by Shari’ah. The key requirements are the Imam, two male witnesses, the contract, and the bride and groom. The marriage must be public, also, not secret.

A Wali is a male relative or guardian traditionally, and otherwise this would most likely be impermissible.

This depends on the imam and the mosque. Some might even be free of charge.

Yes, if he's raised as such. The name of a Muslim in Islam does not determine the person's faith; practicing the faith does.

A marriage between a Muslim woman and a Non-Muslim is considered invalid. If they have children, then their children will be considered bastard children.

This is considered zina (adultery) and is haram to do in public. Kissing in private is permissible though.

She cannot do that without the permission of her parents. If she does Nikah, it will not be valid.

Wali needs to be closest blood relative alive. If you don't have any blood relatives or they are not your guardian, then you need not to have a wali.

Ask forgiveness from Allah. Your past is a matter between you and Allah. For people, ask for forgiveness. It does not matter if they do not forgive you as long as you have not done anything wrong to them personally.