A Guide to Writing your Nikahnama Text

Your nikahnama text is what you make of it.

It can be a barebones text with only the most pertinent information, or it can be more.

With the purchase of each nikahnama, we provide the text for a basic Muslim wedding contract, with which couples can fill out dates, the agreed-upon mahr (dowry), and the full names of witnesses and the wali (if the bride has one).

But some couples also choose to include more clauses in their nikahnama text, sort of like a pre-nuptial agreement. Some of the most common additions we've seen couples include have to do with:

• The man's right to a polygamous marriage
• Deciding on where to live (Is it a joint decision? Is it important to move for a job, or to live close to family?)
• Splitting household duties
• How the couple wants to raise their children
• Financial responsibilities
• Whether or not both parties responsible for a debt in one person’s name
• The couple's relationship with in-laws
• Wife’s right to her own residence
• Restricted hobbies
• The wife’s right to divorce
• Whether degrees obtained during marriage are marital assets

It's important to note that just like a pre-nuptial agreement, without any legal counsel or notarization, the text may not be legally valid. Instead, a couple can assume this text as marital vows.