There are two types of Nikah: Shia and Sunni. Each follows its own set of procedures and has its own beliefs about the role of marriage in society. While there are some similarities between the two, there are also some significant differences. This blog post will explore the key differences between Shia and Sunni Nikah.
What is Shia Nikah?
Shia Nikah is a Shia Muslim Islamic marriage contract. The terms of the Shia Nikah contract are similar to those of a Sunni Nikah, with a few key differences. One key difference is that Shia Muslims do not require the presence of a wali (guardian) for the marriage to be valid. Shia Nikah contracts also typically allow for Mut’ah marriages, which are temporary marriages that can be dissolved at any time by either party. Shia Nikah contracts can be concluded in either Arabic or English, and are usually signed by both parties and two witnesses.
What is Sunni Nikah?
Sunni Nikah is a Sunni Islamic marriage contract. Sunni Muslims believe that the contract is a binding agreement between two consenting adults and that it is not valid without the consent of both parties. Sunni Nikah has a number of requirements, including the presence of witnesses and the exchange of gifts or payment between the bride and groom. In addition, Sunni Nikah requires that the couple recite specific verses from the Quran during the ceremony. Sunni Nikah is considered to be an extremely important step in Sunni Muslim life, and couples typically spend months or even years preparing for the ceremony. Sunni Nikah is not only a religious obligation, but it is also seen as a way to strengthen Sunni Muslim society.
Difference between Shia and Sunni Nikah
- Shia and Sunni are the two major branches of Islam. Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam, after Sunni Islam. Shia Muslims represent about 10-15% of the Muslim population worldwide. Shia Islam originated in the 7th century AD, in what is now Iraq. Sunni Islam originated in the Arabia region, in the early 8th century AD. Shia and Sunni Muslims have different beliefs regarding who should have succeeded Muhammad as leader of the Islamic community following his death.
- Shia Muslims believe that Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib should have been the rightful successor, while Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s close friend and father-in-law, was the rightful successor. Shia and Sunni Muslims also differ on other issues, such as the role of religious leaders and the importance of family lineage. Shia Muslims tend to be more religious than Sunni Muslims, and they place a greater emphasis on family lineage.
- Sunni Muslims are more likely to elect their religious leaders, while Shia Muslims believe that religious leaders should be chosen by God alone. These differences often lead to conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslims. In some countries, such as Iraq and Syria, Shia and Sunni Muslims have been fighting each other for years.
Conclusion
Sunni and Shia Muslims have different beliefs about marriage and the process of getting married. If you are considering marrying someone who practices a different branch of Islam than you do, it is important to be aware of these differences so that there are no surprises down the road. We hope this article has been helpful in informing you about the difference between Sunni and Shia Nikah ceremonies.