Islamic marital practices

What it is

Islamic marriage is called nikah. It is a contract and a religious rite, guided by the Quran and Islamic law, but its customs differ from one country to another. Many Muslims are encouraged to marry early, and dating before marriage is not the usual path. Families often help arrange introductions. A marriage commonly moves through several stages: khitbah, the betrothal; mahr, the groom's gift to the bride; the nikah ceremony itself; and walima, a wedding banquet. A sending-off stage follows. Men may marry up to four women at one time under certain conditions, though this practice has declined and is banned in some countries. Some couples also adopt non-Muslim customs such as rings or cake.

Betrothal and mahr

Khitbah is the first formal step. Representatives of the prospective bride and groom meet to learn about each other and judge compatibility. A proposal may come from one side or through friends and matchmakers. Traditionally the couple do not touch or meet alone, and conversations are supervised. A woman who covers her face may uncover it so the suitor can see her. If both agree, they enter an engagement-like stage. In Urdu-speaking communities this is called rishta. After that, the mahr is settled. This is a mandatory gift from the groom to the bride, agreed in advance and meant for her own use. It is not the same as a dowry paid by the bride's family. The marriage is then announced publicly.

The nikah ceremony

The nikah ceremony requires the groom, the bride, her wali or legal guardian, two adult male Muslim witnesses, and an officiant. The officiant is usually an imam, but the ceremony may take place in a private home or a judge's office rather than a mosque. The wali first asks for the bride's consent, then for the groom's commitment. The couple each say 'Qubool', which means 'I accept', three times. They then sign the marriage contract. Those present recite the fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran. A khutbah, or sermon, follows. It often begins with verses from the Quran and a hadith. A du'a is then said to ask for blessing on the marriage.

Walima and sending off

After the nikah, a walima banquet may be held. It works like a wedding reception. The groom's side organises and pays for it. It can happen on the same day as the nikah or months later, in a banquet hall or another large venue. Some couples have a wedding cake, though some scholars advise against it as an imitation of non-Muslim practice. The sending-off comes next. Zifaf is the Arabic term for sending the couple off to be alone, which typically but not always leads to consummation. South Asians call the start of living together rukhsati. In Arab countries, dukhul or dukhlah refers to consummation. This may happen hours after the nikah or be delayed for months or years, for example until the mahr is paid.

Today and change

Polygamy remains legal in many Muslim-majority and African countries, often with restrictions, but it is illegal in most other places. Turkey and Tunisia have banned it completely. Since the twentieth century, economic changes, women's empowerment, and family planning have led to fewer polygynous marriages. Forced marriage is not allowed by the Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, which require consent from both parties. Shafi'i strongly recommends consulting daughters who are no longer minors. In the United Kingdom, researchers found that some parents used psychological pressure and did not consider it coercion, according to Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. Minimum marriage ages vary: Egypt sets 18 for both, Indonesia 19 for women and 21 for men. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, child marriage is illegal but still occurs.

How Islamic marital practices is kept

Families usually begin by arranging introductions, known as khitbah. The couple and their families assess compatibility, often with supervised meetings. If they agree, the mahr gift is settled. The nikah ceremony follows: the bride's wali, two male witnesses, and an imam or qadi oversee spoken consent. The bride and groom each say 'Qubool' three times, then sign the contract. The fatihah is recited, a khutbah sermon is given, and a du'a is offered. A walima banquet may follow the same day or later, paid for by the groom's side. The couple are then sent off to begin living together.

When and where

There is no single date. Islamic marriage customs happen when a couple marries. The steps unfold over a period: betrothal, mahr agreement, nikah contract, and usually a walima banquet. The banquet may be the same day as the nikah or months later. Sending off can happen within hours or be delayed for months or years, for example until the mahr is paid.

Islamic marital practices are kept by Muslim communities worldwide. The sources name Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States in discussions of marriage law and practice. Local customs differ by region.

What Islamic marital practices means

For Muslims who keep these practices, marriage is a religious duty and a social foundation. It is a legal contract with spiritual weight, witnessed by the community. The mahr gives the bride a gift of her own. The nikah makes the union public, and the walima shares joy with family and friends. Many see the steps as protection for both partners and as a way to build a family within Islamic law. Customs vary, but the aim is a commitment recognised by God and community.

Questions people ask about Islamic marital practices

See also

MayianA pre-wedding cleansing ritual in Punjabi traditions, using turmeric paste to prepare the couple for marriage.Saber archA wedding custom where sabers form an arch for the couple to walk through.NgerorodA Balinese Hindu way of marrying, where a couple wed by their own choicePunjabi wedding traditionsThe multi-day marriage customs and rituals of Hindu and Sikh Punjabi families

Good reading and sources

• I do... for now. UK Muslims revive temporary marriagesBBC, Article
• I do... for now. UK Muslims revive temporary marriagesBBC, Article

• Islamic marital practices on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-10.