What comes after a Nikkah?

Short answer

After the nikah, the couple is married in the eyes of Islam. Typically, there is a walima, a celebratory feast hosted by the groom's family, followed by time with family and friends.

The nikah is the marriage contract, and once it is completed, the couple is considered married in Islam. What happens next depends on your family traditions and community. The most common event is the walima, a wedding banquet hosted by the groom's family. This is a chance to celebrate the marriage with a wider circle of relatives and friends. Some families hold the walima on the same day as the nikah, while others wait a day or two.

Other traditions may follow, such as a rukhsati, where the bride leaves her family home to live with her husband, or a reception for the bride's family. Some couples also have a civil ceremony to make the marriage legal in the UK, if the nikah alone is not legally binding. In England and Wales, a nikah is only legal if it takes place in a registered building with an authorised person present. Otherwise, you need a civil ceremony as well. In Scotland, a nikah by a religious celebrant can be legal. In Northern Ireland, check the current rules.

After the celebrations, the couple should make sure their marriage is registered legally. They will need their marriage certificate for passports, banks and other official matters. If you are unsure about the legal steps, check GOV.UK or ask your register office.