Muslim Wedding Ceremony Examples: Simple & Customizable Options

Wedding ceremonies can be organized in many ways.

We offer two simple nikah ceremony examples here that can be followed to the letter or can be used as inspiration.

You can always have a ceremony that is very simple but still valid by first making sure there is no hindrance to the marriage, then simply:

• • Exchanging vows (see below)
  • Signing the contract

Two witnesses must be present, in addition to the legal representative (wali) or his replacement if necessary.

After the offer and acceptance by the spouses and the signing of the marriage contract, the couple is married.

NikahContract.com offers an example of a ceremony you can either follow as it is, without adding anything, or you can include other elements of your choice. 

We wanted a simple but complete wedding as the Sunnah recommends.

You can perform it in the language of your choice.

The complete Islamic wedding ceremony is made up of four parts:

• Introductory Sermon 

• Exchange of Vows

• Signing of the Marriage Contract

• Invocations and Congratulations

Note: We included the sermon, quotations from the Quran and invocations in English and phonetic Arabic. Arabic speakers may refer to the original text.

1 – Introductory Sermon

➤ Sermon taught by the Prohpet Mohammed صلَّlى الله عليه وسلَّم  that you can use as needed in your ceremony.

(Reading the Fatiha is not required, but it is an option)

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

“All praise is due to Allah. We praise him, we seek His help, we seek His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and our evil deeds. Whoever Allah guides, there is none to misguide him. Whoever Allah leads astray, there is none to guide him. I testify there is no God but Allah alone, without any partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.”. (Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1892, Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 2118)

Phonetic Arabic[In]al-hamdu Lillaahi [nahmaduhu wa] nasta’eenahu wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na’oodhu billaahi min shuroori anfusinaa [wa min sayi’aati a’maalinaa]. Man yahdih Illaahu falaa mudilla lahu wa man yudlil falaa haadiya lahu. Wa ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah [wahdahu la sharika lahu] wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu

➤ Next, recite three verses from the Quran:

“O you who believe! Revere God with due reverence, and do not die except as Muslims.”
(Quran 3:102)

Phonetic Arabic
Yaa ayyuha’lladheena aamanu-ttaqu’Llaaha haqqa tuqaatihi wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon [3:102]

“O people! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and propagated from them many men and women. And revere God whom you ask about, and the parents. Surely, God is Watchful over you.”
(Quran 4:1)

Phonetic Arabic
Yaa ayyuha’n-naas uttaqu rabbakum alladhi khalaqakum min nafsin waahidatin wa khalaqa minhaa zawjahaa wa baththa minhumaa rijaalan katheeran wa nisaa’an wa’ttaqu-Llaah alladhi tasaa’aloona bihi wa’l-arhaama inna Allaaha kaana ‘alaykum raqeeban [4:1]

“O you who believe! Be conscious of God, and speak in a straightforward manner. He will rectify your conduct for you, and will forgive you your sins. Whoever obeys God and His Messenger has won a great victory.”
(Quran 33:70-71)

Phonetic Arabic
Yaa ayyahu’lladheena aamanu-ttaqu’Llaaha wa qooloo qawlan sadeedan. Yuslih Lakum ‘A’maalakum Wa Yaghfir Lakum Dhunoobakum Wa Man Yuti’i Allaaha Wa Rasoolahu Faqad Faaza Fawzaan ‘Azeemaan [33:70-71]

2 – Exchange of Vows – Wording for With & Without Guardian

➤ Phrases to recite if the marriage is with a guardian (wali)

The guardian (wali) says the following:

“Praise be to Allah and blessings on Mohammed His messenger.
I give in marriage xxx (wife’s name), over whom I have responsibility for the dower and commitments made in the marriage contract.”

The husband answers immediately

“Praise be to Allah and blessings on Mohammed His messenger.I agree to the marriage, according to the dower and commitments made in the marriage contract.”

⇢ After reciting these phrases, the couple is married!

➤ Phrases to recite if the marriage is without a guardian (wali)

The wife recites the following:

“Praise be to Allah and blessings on Mohammed His messenger.
I give myself to you in marriage, according to the dower and the commitments made in the marriage contract.’’

The husband answers immediately:

“Praise be to Allah and blessings on Mohammed His messenger.
I agree to the marriage, according to the dower and commitments made in the marriage contract.“

⇢ After reciting these phrases, the couple is married! 

3 – Signing of the Marriage Contract

At a minimum, the marriage contract must be signed by each spouse, by the guardian, if any, and by the two witnesses.

4 – Traditional Invocations

Celebration of a Nikah traditionally ends with at least one invocation to bless the married couple.

“May Allah bless you and send blessings upon you, and bring goodness between you.”
(Tirmidhi Hadith 1091)

Phonetic Arabic :
Bârakallâhou lak wa bâraka ‘alayk wa djama’a baynakoumâ fî khayr

If the spouses wish to use an invocation from the Quran

“Our Lord, do not cause our hearts to swerve after You have guided us, and bestow on us mercy from Your presence; You are the Giver”
(Quran 3:8)

Phonetic Arabic :
Rabbanā Lā Tuzigh Qulūbanā Ba`da ‘Idh Hadaytanā Wa Hab Lanā Min Ladunka Raĥmatan ‘Innaka ‘Anta Al-Wahhābu.

5 – Blessings and Congratulations

In accordance with the Sunnah, friends and family offer blessings and congratulations to the newlyweds immediately after the wedding or whenever they meet them or find out that they got married. 

Gifts may be offered at that time.

• The Prophet صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم  worded a marriage blessing as follows:
  
  “May Allah bless you and pour blessings upon you, and bring goodness between you.“
  (Tirmidhi Hadith 1091)
  
  Phonetic Arabic
  
  Barak Allahu laka wa baraka alaik, wa jama’a bainakuma fi khair
• The Prophet صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم commonly said, when offering his congratulations to newlyweds:
  
  “May Allah bless you and bestow blessings upon you, and bring you together in harmony.“
  (Sunan Ibn Majh Hadith 1905)

  Phonetic Arabic
  
  Barak Allahu lakum, wa barak ‘alaikum, wa jama’a bainakuma fi khair

• When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم congratulated a man on his marriage, he said:
  
  “May Allah bless for you, and may He bless on you, and combine both of you in good works”.
  (Sunan Abou Dawud Hadith 2130)