FAQs

Question

What is a Nikkah?

Answer

A nikah ceremony (also spelled nikkah) is a religious wedding ceremony for Muslim couples. Nikah is the Arabic word used for ‘marriage.’ During the ceremony, a couple agrees to marry in the presence of an imam by saying “I accept” or “I consent.” In Arabic, this is said "Qubool." This is similar to the American “I do” exchanged during the declaration of intent. Wedding vows may or may not be exchanged, and the imam shares a few verses from the Quran or other special readings. After the ceremony is complete, the couple signs a marriage contract (Nikah nama) to make things official. The nikah is very important in Islam and is the only religiously recognized way for two people to marry. As a religious ceremony, it secures the couple’s relationship in front of Allah (God). The ceremonies are traditionally simple and inexpensive, and are often performed in a mosque. Common parts of a nikah include the mahr (also spelled 'maher,' this is the contract of marriage and a gift given by a groom to his bride), a religious sermon on marriage, the nikah contract signed in the presence of witnesses, and the walima (a reception dinner)

Question

What is masjid (mosque) attire and etiquette?

Answer

We are so excited to have our loved ones join us on our special day! The De Soto House of Peace is a beautiful mosque, and we hope everyone enjoys the nikkah (religious ceremony). When attending, we ask our guests to please be respectful of the following mosque/masjid etiquette/rules: -Please silence phones before entering the mosque. -Please refrain from bringing any food/sweets/drinks, confetti/flower petals inside the mosque (rules specific to the De Soto House of Peace). -Please remove your shoes before you enter the prayer area and place them in the shoe rack near the prayer area entrance. -Men and women will be guided to separate areas of the main prayer/ceremony room. Please avoid intermixing while inside the mosque. Attire: -Men and women should both dress modestly, in clothing that covers the arms, chest, and legs—no shorts or sleeveless shirts for either. There are no restrictions on clothing color or how fancy/sparkly your outfit is. -We advise the women to please bring head-scarves (we will also provide some extras if needed).