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Marriage-contract
عقد الزواج (marriage contract) refers to the formal legal and Islamic contract that establishes a marriage agreement between two parties. This compound noun combines عقد (contract/agreement) with الزواج (marriage), and represents a binding document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both spouses according to Islamic law and local civil regulations.
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وقّعنا عقد الزواج أمام القاضي الشرعي.
Waqqaʿnā ʿaqd al-zawāj amāma al-qāḍī ash-sharʿī.
We signed the marriage contract in front of the Islamic judge.
يجب أن تتضمن جميع شروط الزواج في عقد الزواج.
Yajib an tatadamman jamīʿ shurūṭ az-zawāj fī ʿaqd al-zawāj.
All marriage conditions must be included in the marriage contract.
نحتاج إلى شاهدين عادلين لتوثيق عقد الزواج.
Naḥtāj ilā shāhidayn ʿādilatayn li-tawthīq ʿaqd al-zawāj.
We need two just witnesses to authenticate the marriage contract.
هل تحتفظين بنسخة من عقد الزواج الخاص بك؟
Hal taḥtafaẓīn bi-nuskhat min ʿaqd al-zawāj al-khāṣ bik?
Do you keep a copy of your marriage contract?
عقد الزواج يحدد مقدار المهر والحقوق والالتزامات.
ʿAqd al-zawāj yuḥaddid miqdār al-mahr wa-al-ḥuqūq wa-al-iltizāmāt.
The marriage contract specifies the mahr amount, rights, and obligations.
In Islamic law and Arab culture, عقد الزواج is a fundamental legal document that establishes marriage according to Shariah principles. The contract is not merely symbolic; it is a binding legal agreement that protects both parties' rights and clearly outlines responsibilities, including the payment of mahr (dower) from the groom to the bride. In many Arab countries, this contract is recognized by both religious courts and civil law, making it essential for legal recognition of marriage.
Remember that عقد الزواج is a formal, legal term used in official and religious contexts. Use the complete phrase rather than just 'عقد' when discussing marriage specifically, to avoid ambiguity since عقد can mean any contract. When discussing marriage in casual conversation, you might use الزواج alone, but use عقد الزواج when referring to the actual legal document or formal agreement.
عقد الزواج, pronounced "aqd al-zawaj," is the Arabic term for a marriage contract. It is a formal, legally binding agreement that establishes the rights and obligations of both spouses in an Islamic marriage. The term combines two words: عقد (aqd), meaning "contract" or "agreement," and الزواج (al-zawaj), meaning "marriage."
In Islamic law and throughout Arab countries, the marriage contract is far more than a ceremonial document—it is the legal foundation of marriage itself. According to Islamic jurisprudence, marriage is established through the contract (ijab and qabul—offer and acceptance) between the two parties, not merely through the wedding celebration.
The عقد الزواج must be witnessed by two just witnesses (shahidayn ʿadilain) and typically approved by an Islamic judge (qadi) or authorized official. This ensures the contract's validity and legal standing.
A proper عقد الزواج includes several critical elements:
1. The Parties: Full identification of the bride and groom, including their legal names, ages, and addresses.
2. Mahr (Dower): The mandatory gift or financial obligation from the groom to the bride. This must be specified in the contract, as it represents the groom's commitment to his bride.
3. Witnesses: The signatures of two qualified, just male witnesses (or equivalent according to various Islamic schools of thought).
4. Rights and Responsibilities: Detailed clauses outlining the rights of both spouses, including provisions for housing, financial support, and personal autonomy.
5. Conditions: Any specific conditions agreed upon by the parties, such as the bride's right to divorce (talaaq), work restrictions, or financial arrangements.
The marriage contract holds profound cultural and legal importance in Arab and Islamic societies. It protects the bride's interests by guaranteeing the mahr and establishing her rights before marriage begins. For the groom, it clarifies his responsibilities and the conditions of the marriage.
Families often spend considerable time negotiating the terms of عقد الزواج, and the contract signing ceremony is a formal event that marks the beginning of the marriage legally, separate from the wedding celebration (zaffah or walimah). In modern Arab countries, the contract is recognized by civil law courts, making it enforceable in case of dispute.
The phrase عقد الزواج functions as a compound noun in Arabic. When used in sentences, it takes the standard grammatical rules for dual nouns:
In formal legal documents, you might see variations such as "عقد الزواج الشرعي" (Islamic/Shariah marriage contract) or "العقد الزواجي" (the matrimonial contract).
In contemporary Arab countries, عقد الزواج is recognized by both religious and civil courts. Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates all maintain systems where the marriage contract is a legally binding document with specific requirements and standardized forms.
Many Arab governments have modernized their marriage contract templates to include protective clauses for women, such as the right to initiate divorce, education rights, and equal property division, reflecting evolving legal standards while maintaining Islamic principles.
Understanding عقد الزواج is crucial for learners of Arabic because it appears frequently in legal documents, official correspondence, and cultural discussions in Arab-speaking countries. The term demonstrates how Arabic legal terminology reflects the importance of written agreements and formal procedures in Islamic law.
When discussing marriage in formal or official contexts, always use the complete phrase عقد الزواج rather than abbreviating to just عقد, as the latter can be confused with other types of contracts. This precision is particularly important in legal, governmental, or educational settings.