what is nikah in islam

Nikah is a contract between two people in Islam, which is considered integral to a religiously valid Islamic marriage. Both the groom and the bride must consent to the marriage of their own free wills. Nikah is the religious ceremony required by Islamic law to unite a Muslim man and woman in holy matrimony. It is a legal contract that both the bride and groom give consent to. The Nikah ceremony is designed to bring the new relationship before Allah. During the Nikah ceremony, the couple has to agree to the mahr, which is a gift of money given to the bride. The ceremony requires a bride and groom, the brides father or male relative, two adult Muslim witnesses, and an imam or other Muslim officiant. The Nikah ceremony is usually held in a mosque or in the couples homes. After the ceremony, the couple is officially married under Islamic law.