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XXXIX.—NIKAH, OR MARRIAGE.
Nikah, is the celebration of the marriage contract as distinguished from the festive rejoicings which usually accompany it; the latter being called Shádí in Persian and Urdú, and ʾUrs in Arabic.
Marriage, according to Muhammadan law, is simply a civil contract, and its validity does not depend upon any religious ceremony.
The legality of marriage depends upon the consent of the parties, which is called I′jáb and Qabúl, viz. declaration and acceptance; the presence of two male witnesses, or one male and two females[1]; and a dower of not less than ten dirhems to be settled upon the woman. The omission of the settlement does not, however, invalidate the contract; for, under any
- ↑ In Muhammadan law woman, instead of being man's "better half," is only equal to half a man!
