My Best Friend's Nikaah (Wedding Oath)

huzaifanaveed1 (75)Memberin WORLD OF XPILAR • 2 hours ago

It feels like just yesterday when we were a group of nine friends, traveling across Pakistan without a care in the world. We were carefree, believing our friendship would last forever, but life had different plans.

Out of the nine, only the two of us have managed to stay in touch over the years. All those promises we made—commitments to meet every weekend—turned out to be the naive words of our younger selves. As we grew into adulthood, we struggled to keep those promises.

Some friendships faded due to toxicity, others were lost to heartbreak, and a few simply fell victim to the mismanagement of time. Whatever the reason, the end result was the same: we all went our separate ways.

Yet somehow, the two of us remained close. We faced numerous challenges to keep our friendship intact, but we stood by each other, and it only made our bond stronger. Despite the negativity others tried to spread between us, we persevered.

Now, after years of shared memories, challenges, and growth, my best friend has entered a new chapter of life. Yesterday, he got married. My best friend is officially off the market—Nikkahfied.

Those of you who don't have an idea of what a Nikaah is, I advise you to go through this post that I wrote a couple of months ago:

What is a Nikaah?

Although Islam, as taught through the Holy Quran and by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), emphasizes unity without divisions into sects, the reality is that we live in a world where differences between the two major sects, Sunnis and Shias, do exist. Despite these distinctions, they don’t alter the core teachings of Islam. As a Sunni, I recently had the unique opportunity to attend a Shia nikaah ceremony for the first time, and I found it quite intriguing.

The nikaah took place at an Imaam Bargaah, which is a dedicated place where the Shia community gathers to offer prayers and hold important religious and communal events. Witnessing the traditions and customs of my friend’s sect firsthand was an eye-opening experience. I also appreciated how the event adhered to the principles of modesty and proper conduct, with complete segregation between men and women during the ceremony, in line with Islamic values. It was a respectful and solemn occasion, and despite our differences, it reinforced for me the shared values that unite us as Muslims.

_{The open air dining area}

_{the pray area}

During a Nikaah ceremony, it is not necessary for the bride and groom to sit together. The Nikaah is essentially a contract, and its key requirement is that it be read aloud by someone designated to officiate the ceremony. Both the groom and the bride must have two witnesses each to validate the union. In addition to the witnesses, there is an important figure known as the Waqeel who acts on behalf of the bride. The Waqeel is entrusted with representing the bride’s interests during the Nikaah, ensuring that everything is carried out according to her consent and in line with Islamic law.

The rules mentioned above are the general guidelines for a Nikaah ceremony followed by all Muslims, whether Sunni or Shia. However, there is one additional custom specific to Shia marriages: traditionally, a Shia individual is expected to marry another Shia. While this is not an absolute or strictly enforced rule, it is widely observed within the Shia community. The reason behind this practice is rooted in the desire to maintain the "purity of the bloodline." This custom, though not mandatory, reflects the cultural and religious values held by many Shias, ensuring that their lineage continues within the same sect, preserving their specific beliefs and traditions for future generations.

Requirements of a Nikaah:

The husband must provide a specified amount of money to the wife immediately upon marriage. This amount is announced publicly to ensure there are witnesses, and it forms a part of the Nikaah contract.
The Nikaah contract requires the signatures of one guardian and two witnesses from the bride's side, as well as two witnesses from the groom's side. Without these signatures, the contract is invalid.
The guardian, usually the father, obtains the bride's signature on the Nikaah contract. This is typically done at her home, and she does not need to be present at the gathering.
Both the bride and groom are asked separately if they accept each other as husband and wife, thereby completing the Nikaah ceremony.
_{what is a nikaah by @huzaifanaveed1}

_{The groom hugging me after the completion of the Nikaah}

Following the Nikaah ceremony, a meal was served to all the guests in attendance. This gesture of hospitality is done in good faith, as a way to express gratitude to those who participated in the joyous occasion. The food symbolizes the groom and his family’s appreciation for the presence and support of their loved ones and community.