Nikah | Marriage

A marriage license is a legal document obtained from the County Clerk’s Office by a couple prior to marriage after meeting certain requirement and paying a fee. Once the license is signed (during or after your ceremony) and returned by an officiant to the county, a marriage certificate is issued.

• In Illinois, the marriage license must be from the same county that the nikah is taking place in.
• First cousins are not permitted to legally marry in Illinois
• Check the appropriate County Clerk’s website or call them for more info about fees and requirements.
• If you are outside of Illinois, please check the legal requirements for your area. Our legal team will also be doing the same prior to the shaykh’s departure.

We, at Islam of Mind, do NOT perform any nikahs in any state without a valid marriage license. All nikahs must comply with local, federal, and state laws.

The County Clerk’s Office where the nikah is taking place. (i.e. The country where the Masjid, banquet hall, or residence is located in.)

You can request it from the County Clerk’s office in the country where the nikah took place. In Illinois it usually takes about two weeks for them to process the completed marriage license, after that the certificate is available.

Absolutely! Just contact us for more information and scheduling.

Mahr is money or something of monetary value given by the groom directly to the bride (not her family). The amount and/or item(s) is a necessary stipulation and must be agreed to at the time of the nikah as part of the contract. It can either be paid immediately or delayed as a form of debt owed to the bride. The bride has full rights to this agreed upon amount after the marriage has been consummated, even after divorce or death of her husband.

Usually the father of the bride. This person is the bride’s designated guardian who is responsible for her protection and care. He is also responsible for handing over this responsibility in to capable hands. A wakeel/wali will be necessary from the bride’s side unless she has been previously divorced or widowed (Hanafi).

The are a number factors that are taken in consideration before quoting a price for a nikah. 

• Distance
• Travel accommodations
• Time required
• How many people
• Special requests
• Premarital advisement
• Assistance needed with complications
• Islamic legal advice needed

No, the two witnesses are completely up to the bride, groom, and their families, as long as the Islamic legal requirements for a qualified witness are met.

We can help with arranging one or two appropriate witnesses as long as we know well in advance, in sha Allah.

It generally takes approximately 30-40 minutes. 15-20 minutes for the documentation, and another 15-20 minutes for the ceremony.

No, most of the time due to a very busy schedule. Although, it is possible sometimes under certain conditions.

A Muslim male can marry a Christian or a Jew, but it is strongly advised that he marry a Muslim sister for a variety of reasons. A Muslim female can only marry a Muslim. Neither a male nor female Muslim is permitted to marry anyone outside of what has just been mentioned. (e.g. Hindu, Atheist, etc.)

We, at Islam of Mind, function based on this principle. All nikahs must be in accordance Islamic Law.

Who is and who is not a Muslim is not arbitrary. Based on the Qur’an and Sunnah there are primary factors related to theology and theosophy which acts as the filter. If someone passes through this filter, then they are considered as a Muslim. Qadiyanis, Shi’is, etc. do not pass through this filter, thus they will not be considered as Muslims.

We, at Islam of Mind, function based on this principle. All nikahs must be in accordance Islamic Law.

Yes, but these must be scheduled well in advance due to travel requirements and his schedule.

It is up to the couple getting married and their families to make these arrangements. Generally nikahs take place in Masjids, banquet halls, or even private residences. There is no legal stipulation for this in Islam. If you are only a few people, we can help you coordinate with a Masjid in your area, in sha Allah.

No, the divorce will need to be finalized first by the court system.