Bismillahirahmanirraheem

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

Assalamalaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh 

Chapter 3: Marriage as a Revert or Orphan

What is nikkah?

Let’s recall what the nikkah is.

The nikkah is a vow before Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ binding a man and woman into a halal relationship. The nikkah is supposed to be simple to make it easy for the believers to marry and maintain halal relationships. Not much is needed for a nikkah, in fact, it is sunnah to have a simple nikkah.

Introduction 

In this part we will be discussing the marriage process for reverts without muslim parents or mehram and for orphans. I will be organizing this post as a step-by-step so I can more easily highlight the process.

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○Step One○

For both the Revert without muslim mehram and the Orphan must begin the marriage process by contacting nearest masjids about marriage applications. You can call the ones closest to you and ask if they’re accepting and the processes for filling out and submitting the applications. Since you do not have muslim mehram you can go through an imam to take part as the wali between you and your marriage meetings.

The marriage application will be shared with others looking to get married and then meetings will be arranged where you can meet men/women in a halal and safe setting. In case you’re unaware, the reasons behind requiring a mehram to be with you for marriage meetings is another form of protection for the woman. We are not meant to be alone with a non-mehram man. The mehram, and in this case the imam, act as barriers between being misled into haram or dangerous interactions. Subhanallah insha’Allah

○Step Two○

Attending the meetings and choosing who seems most suited to you islamically and personality wise. It is strongly encouraged to perform istikhara for the man/woman you think might be suited for you. Remember, Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ can see what’s in the chest, you can only see what’s on the surface. Trust Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ will close the doors to situations not meant for you if you turn to Him and ask for Him to Protect you. With that in mind:

○Step Three○ 

Performing Istikhara:

To perform istikhara, you need to first do two rakat. Start by reciting Surah Fatiha and after Surah Fatiha continue your two rakat with Surah al-Kafirun. Recite Surah Fatiha again, then Surah al-Iklas. And now you can recite the Istikhara supplication. Recite this with the situation you’re asking about in mind:

Allahumma innee astakheeruka bi ilmika wa-astaqdiruka biqudratika wa-as’aluka min fadhlika al-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru walaa aqdiru. Wa ta’lamu walaa a’alamu wa anta allaamul ghuroob.

Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna haadhal-amr khayrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy wa-‘aaqibat amriy, faqdur hu liy wa- liy thumma baarik liy feehi. Wa in-kunta ta’lamu anna haadhal amr sharrun liy fiy deeniy wa-ma’aashiy wa-‘aaqibat amriy. Fa asrifhu ‘annee wa-srifni ‘anhu. Wa aqdur lial khayra haythu kaana thumma a-rdhiniy bihee.

English Translation

O Allah! Behold I ask You the good through Your Knowledge, and ability through Your Power, and beg (Your favour) out of Your infinite Bounty. For surely You have Power; I have none. You know all; I know not. You are the Great Knower of all things.

O Allah! If in Your Knowledge this matter be good for my faith, for my livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then ordain it for me, and make it easy for me, and bless me therein. But if in Your Knowledge, this matter be bad for my faith, for my livelihood, and for the consequences of my affairs, then turn it away from me, and turn me away therefrom, and ordain for me the good wherever it be, and cause me to be pleased with it.

After Istikhara things will become easier or harder for you in regards to who you have prayed about. Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ will close or open doors for you so be aware and pay attention to the signs. There’s a misconception that Istikhara is only replied to in dreams – the reply will be everywhere.

○Step Four○

Now you get confirmation from both sides the intent to marry. For both the revert without muslim mehram and the orphan you will need to find atleast two male Muslim witnesses or two females and one male. In order to obtain this I suggest meeting people from the masjid or like on communities like this you can make friends who can perform as witnesses on your behalf. Just remember the witnesses have to be muslim and they have to be there in person for the nikkah.

○Step Five○

Do the nikkah! At the end of the day Islam is an easy religion. It’s not so complicated no matter your situation to be able to have a halal marriage alhamdulillah 🤍

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All praise to Allah, Lord of Worlds.

Ya Allah, please grant all the believing Muslims, good believing spouses. Grant us spouses that will help us get closer to our deen and to You. Grant us healthy marriages and help us through anything that may arise so we can maintain healthy halal relationships. 🤲

Ya Allah, help every man/woman out there suffering in his/her marriage. Bring unity to the heart of the couple and save them from the evil attacks of shaytan and his helpers from amongst the jinn and mankind. Where separation is best, then help them move on in a kind manner. 🤲

Ya Allah, grant us peace of mind by saving us from people of fitnah. We seek refuge in You from being a trial of others and from others being a trial to us. Place in our lives those who will be the coolness of the eyes. 🤲

Ya Allah, forgive us our sins. The sins we committed knowingly and unknowingly, the ones we remember and the ones we have forgotten. The smallest of our sins and the greatest of our sins and make us amongst those who remember You much.

آمين يا رب العالمين

Ameen Ya Rabbul Alameen