Conceptualization of the Term “Nikah” (Marriage) in Islamic Jurisprudence and Its Effects

the scholars of Islamic denominations are not agreed upon the true meaning of the term “Nikah” (marriage). The preponderant and superior opinion among Islamic jurists is that the word “Nikah” (marriage) in fact means legal contract. The proponents of this view have relied on Quran, tradition, and reason to prove their theory. This group believe that marriage means legal contract in the Qur'an in all verses. In contrast, a group of jurisprudents consider the meaning of “Nikah” as sexual intercourse (Waty) and another group believe that it has both meanings, i. e. intercourse and legal contract. Some jurists have also said that it means “Dham”. Each of these groups have cited proofs for their theory from Quranic verses, traditions of the holy Prophet (pbuh), and rational reasons. The acceptable proposition is the promise of the first group, since copulation and Waty (sexual intercourse) is obscene, and it is considered immoral. Also, in the holy Quran, the word has merely been used to refer to the meaning “legal contract” and the authenticity of the denial of the meaning of Waty (sexual intercourse) implies the metaphorical use of Nikah in the sense of Waty. Disagreements on the matters such as testimony in marriage and the creation of Mahramiyyat due to adultery are the results and effects of disagreements in this discussion.