ISLAMIC MARRIAGE (NIKAH) POLICY AND PROCEDURES

(Last updated May 2, 2025)

Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid

1. Introduction to the Islamic Marriage (Nikah)

An Islamic Marriage (Nikah) is a solemn and sacred contract between a man and women who are lawfully permitted to marry under Islamic Law (Shari’ah). The objective of this union is to establish a lawful bond for exercising one’s intimate rights and increase in Muslim offspring to spread the Religion of Islam and Worship Allah, as ordained by Allah (SWT). The Nikah is a binding covenant that must be approached with full sincerity, respect, and compliance with both Islamic guidelines and institutional policies.

2. Legal Status of Nikah in the United States

While a Nikah contract satisfies the requirements of Islamic jurisprudence, it does not constitute a legally recognized marriage under United States law. Accordingly, all individuals intending to marry at Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid must obtain a valid marriage license from the local County Probate Court and submit it to the Imam for signing prior to the performance of the Nikah.

Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid does not officiate Nikah ceremonies involving polygamy or remarriages between former spouses whose previous marriage was dissolved via an irrevocable Islamic divorce (talaq ba’in). This policy ensures legal compliance and protection for all parties in accordance with both Islamic principles and civil law.

3. Requirements for Islamic Marriage at Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid

3.1 Islamic Requirements

In accordance with strict interpretation of the traditional Islamic jurisprudence of all four schools of Islamic Jurisprudence in Sunni Islam, a valid Nikah (Islamic marriage contract) is a binding verbal agreement between four essential parties: the Wali (guardian) of the bride, the groom, and two qualified male witnesses. The contract must also stipulate the Mahr (dowry), which is a mandatory financial obligation upon the groom.

3.1.1 Wali (Guardian)

The consent of a qualified Wali is a mandatory precondition for the validity of the Nikah. In accordance with the predominant view of the Shāfiʿī, Mālikī, and Ḥanbalī legal schools—and consistent with the prophetic tradition (Sunnah)—the Wali’s prior consent is an absolute necessary precondition for the marriage contract to take place. The Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “There is no [valid] Nikah without the [presence and proposal of the] Wali and [presence who are acting as] two witnesses” (Authentic Hadith collected in Jami’ Tirmidhi).

The Wali must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Muslim male of sound mental capacity;

• Be of upright moral character, known for his adherence to Islamic obligations and avoidance of major sins;

• Belong to the bride’s closest male kin starting with the father, oldest brother of bride in father’s absence, paternal uncle in brother’s absence;

In circumstances where the Wali is deceased, non-Muslim thus Islamically disqualified, the Imam of the bride’s local recognized Islamic center or Masjid shall assume the role of Wali. If no such local authority exists, the Imam of Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid may assume this responsibility, provided the matter is submitted for formal review and prior approval, along with any additional documentation required.

3.1.2 Ijab wa Qabul (Proposal and Acceptance)

The Nikah is executed through the formal exchange of Ijab (Proposal) and Qabul (Acceptance) between the bride’s Wali and the groom, in the presence of the two qualified witnesses. The proposal is made by the Wali on behalf of the bride.

During the Nikah ceremony, the officiant Imam will ask the Wali whether he offers the bride in marriage to the groom for the agreed-upon Mahr. The Wali is to respond verbally using the Arabic phrase: "نعم، أنكحتُها" (Yes, I have given her in marriage).
The Imam will then ask the groom whether he accepts this offer, to which the groom must respond using the Arabic phrase: "نعم، قبلتُ نكاحها" (Yes, I accept her in marriage).

The Arabic language is required for these declarations in order to eliminate ambiguity, preserve linguistic integrity with Islamic legal traditions, and uphold the sacredness of the contract, which is analogous to an act of worship in its solemnity.

3.1.3 Shahadah (Witnesses)

Two adult Muslim males must serve as witnesses to the contract. These witnesses must be:

• Practicing Muslims who are consistent in fulfilling their Faraidh (Obligations) including but not limited to: consistently offering and establishing all of the five daily prayers on time, Paying Zakah, Fasting the Month of Ramadan, etc.

• Of upright and trustworthy character, and

• Free from involvement in any acts of disobedience of Allah SWT or immorality.

The Wali is not a witness.

3.1.4 Mahr (Dowry)

The Mahr is a required component of the Nikah and must be provided by the groom and accepted by the bride. The specific amount must be agreed upon prior to the ceremony and clearly recorded in the official Nikah documentation.

If no amount is specified at the time of the contract, the default Mahr shall be considered equivalent to the Mahr Fāṭimī, which is the historical dowry paid by the cousin of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ Ali (RA) to his daughter Fāṭimah (RA). This amount is currently approximated at $1,200 USD and is payable immediately upon execution of the Nikah.

The Mahr is the exclusive legal and financial right of the bride and may not be withheld or reduced without her express consent. Excessively burdensome amounts are discouraged, in accordance with the prophetic guidance to make marriage easy and accessible within the Muslim community.

In the event of a Khulʿ (annulment initiated by the wife subject to approval of the presiding Islamic authority), but not divorce (which is unilaterally initiated by the groom) the Mahr must be returned by the bride to the groom in exchange for a release from the marriage contract, subject to the approval of the presiding Islamic authority.

3.2 Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid–Specific Requirements

Marriage License:
A valid marriage license from the relevant County Probate Court must be submitted before the Nikah ceremony.

Application Submission:
All Nikah ceremonies must be scheduled using the official online Nikah application form. Submission does not guarantee booking; only upon confirmation by the Imam via the official communication channel is a date and time considered officially reserved.

Gender-Based Seating Arrangements:
Men shall be seated in the main Musalla and women upstairs in the sisters’ Musalla. For small gatherings (20 people or fewer), the event may be held entirely upstairs with men seated on one side and women on the other. Proper Hijab and gender separation are strictly required.

Photography Policy:

• No photography is allowed without prior explicit consent from the Imam.
• Photography of women is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in immediate cancellation of the Nikah ceremony.

Public Displays of Affection (PDA):
There is to be no Romantic or Intimate Gestures or any public display of affection on masjid Grounds. Any physical contact between the bride and groom before the Nikah is prohibited in Islam. Likewise any public display of affection between the bride and groom after the nikah is strictly prohibited in the Masjid premises. This includes holding hands, hugging, kissing, exchanging rings, taking pictures, small dances, romantic twirls or any other form of romance or physical intimacy. Such behavior is a violation of the sanctity of the Masjid and appropriate public Islamic decorum (Haya), and results in contravention of this Nikah Ceremony Agreement which will result in immediate cancellation of the Nikah ceremony.

Wedding Decorations:
Decorations must be modest, non-objectionable, removable and scarce (no elaborate decoration). No obstruction of prayer areas, exits, or walkways is allowed. No adhesives, nails, lights, or permanent fixtures may be used. Decorations must be promptly removed after the event.

Food Policy:
No food or beverages are permitted inside the Musalla or lobby areas. Items such as meals, drinks, goodie bags, etc., may only be distributed outside the Masjid after guests have exited.

Written Contract:
A formal Nikah contract provided by Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid must be completed, including the names and signatures of the Wali, Bride, Groom, two witnesses, agreed-upon Mahr, and the officiating Imam. A non-refundable administrative fee of $20.00 is required for the issuance of the official Nikah certificate. Payment can be made in cash or via the designated online payment link.

Facility Rental:
For larger ceremonies or receptions, the GIC gymnasium may be rented. For more information, contact the Facility Manager, Br. Mubeen via mubeen.shaikh@suwaneemasjid.org

Imam Authorization:
Only the the Imam of Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid may officiate Nikah ceremonies at Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid. Any external officiant must receive prior written authorization from the Imam.

4. Application and Contact

All Nikah applications must be submitted through the official online form provided by Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC) | Suwanee Masjid. The process is not considered complete until confirmation is received from the Imam through official communication.

For additional information or to begin the application process, please contact info@suwaneemasjid.org. Please wait up to 48 to 72 hours for response.