Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamoualaikoum.

Praise be to Allah, Master of the Worlds and Creator of mankind.

Brothers and Sisters,I think that referring to `marriage` as `nikkah` is NOT appropriate as we well know that the word `nikkah` in Arabic refers specifically to the `sexual act`.Why is it that we don`t use the word `zawaj` which is the translation for `marriage`.Often in some cultures those things happen and I believe that we should take great care in dealing with such things.

Barak`Allah fiik. 

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Answer:

Nikaah marriage zawaj

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Dear and beloved brother, although the Arabic term ‘Nikaah’ does connote the lawful act of fulfilling one’s natural physical desire of sex (as opposed to the unlawful act of fulfilling ones desire or ‘zina’), the term ‘Nikkah’ is also commonly used to mean ‘marriage’ in the Arabic language.

If one studies the Glorious Quran, the Lord Most High has used the term ‘Nikaah’ almost exclusively to mean marriage:

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 49:

49 O ye who believe! When ye perform ‘Nikaah’ (marry) believing women and then divorce them before ye have touched them no period of `Iddah have ye to count in respect of them: so give them a present and set them free in a handsome manner.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 3:

3 If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, do ‘nikaah’ (marry) women of your choice two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them) then only one or (a captive) that your right hands possess. That will be more suitable to prevent you from doing injustice

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 24 Surah Noor verse 3:

3 Let no man guilty of adultery or fornication do ‘Nikaah’ (marry) any but a woman similarly guilty or an Unbeliever nor let any but such a man or an Unbeliever do ‘Nikaah’ (marry) such a woman: to the Believers such a thing is forbidden.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 22:

22 And perform ‘Nikaah’ (marry) not women whom your fathers have done ‘Nikaah’ (married) with, except what is past: it was shameful and odious an abominable custom indeed.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 53:

53 O ye who Believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses until leave is given you for a meal (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation: but when ye are invited enter; and when ye have taken your meal disperse without seeking familiar talk. Such (behavior) annoys the Prophet: He is ashamed to dismiss you but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Messenger or that ye should perform ‘Nikaah’ (marry) his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's Sight an enormity.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter Allah 24 Surah Noor verse 32:

32 Perform ‘Nikaah’ (marry) with those among you who are single or the virtuous ones among your slaves male or female: if they are in poverty Allah will give them means out of His grace: for Allah encompasseth all and He knoweth all things.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter Allah 28 Surah Qasas verse 27:

27 He (Shuaib) said: "I intended to give you in ‘Nikaah’ (marry) one of these my daughters to thee on condition that thou serve me for eight years; but if thou complete ten years it will be (grace) from thee. But I intend not to place thee under a difficulty: thou wilt find me indeed if Allah wills one of the righteous."

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan