Nikaah


The ISCC provides the service of performing  marriages or Nikaah by an Imam who serves as a licensed Marriage Officer. The Imam is required for the completion of the marriage registration in the State of Pennsylvania.

Nikaah Ceremony Checklist

  • Marriage License Document: Please refer to the following link for further information.  It must be obtained prior to the date of the Nikkah.
  • Please note: The Nikaah will not be performed by the designated Imam without a valid marriage license which must be present at the time and place of the Nikaah ceremony.
  • Bride Side: A male guardian also known as the ‘Wali’ [i.e,, father, brother, son, paternal uncle, grandfather] must represent the Bride.  Please note: the following individuals do not qualify as a ‘Wali’ – maternal uncle, other women even if they are relatives, friends.  If the Bride does not have a ‘Wali’ in accordance to Shari’ah may be represented by the Imam if circumstances permit.
  • Two Male Muslim Witnesses that have reached adulthood. These witnesses can be any individual as long as they fit the requirements.  There is no requirement to have one witness representing the Bride and one witness representing the Groom side.  Also, it is not required to have two representatives from each side, nor do they have to be necessarily relatives.
  • Haq-Mahr (Dowry): This should be discussed and agreed upon amongst both the Bride and Groom side prior to the Nikaah ceremony at the ISCC.

During the Nikaah

  • The Imam will perform the Nikaah once he is provided with the valid document.
  • He will complete the remainder of the Marriage Certification Registration for the couple.

Why Haq-Mahr is mandatory?

  • As the Quran states: “And give women their Mahr as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.” -Suran an-Nisaa’, 4:4
  • This must be mutually agreed upon between the Bride and the Groom
  • This is her given right, to which the husband remains indebted
  • This is not to put a price tag on the Bride’s worth, it is simply a gift to her from the Groom as her right
  • The Mahr may be given in form of cash, kind, or non-material.  It can be provided upfront to the Bride or it can be provided as a form of promise decided prior to the solemnization of the marriage.