Nikah

Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract — the ceremony that constitutes the legal and religious marriage in Islam. It is conducted by a Maulvi or Qazi (Islamic religious judge) in the presence of witnesses.

At the Nikah, the groom declares 'Qubool Hai' (I accept) three times. The Mahr — the mandatory gift from groom to bride — is declared and agreed at this ceremony. The signing of the Nikah document completes the marriage.

In Kerala, the Nikah is typically a quieter ceremony than the later Walima (reception feast hosted by the groom's family), which is the larger public celebration.