OFFICIANT (to congregation):

Welcome family, friends, and loved ones. Please be seated.

We gather here together in the sight of Allah and of you as witnesses to join the hands of _________ and _________ in marriage.In Islamic tradition, the only requirement of a marriage according to the Quran is the signing of a marriage covenant, called the Nikah, which _________ and _________ have chosen, as many do, to make a part of their ceremony today. We will all bear witness to this commitment, and we will promise in the sight of Allah to hold _________ and _________ up in faith and they journey through the rest of their lives together.

OFFICIANT (to congregation):

The story of creation is laid out in the Quran. When it was time for Allah to create the first man and the first woman he saw, when the man was alone, that something was missing. The Quran tells us "It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her in love" (7:189). The message is clear, a man ought to have a wife, and a wife ought to have a husband.

The covenant we are to witness today goes back for thousands of years, and is a promise repeated throughout cultures and across continents. It is a commitment for _________ and _________ to hold one another up in faith, and help one another grow together.

OFFICIANT (to couple):

_________, _________, the agreement you make today is sacred. You make it in the sight of Allah, and of these witnesses. It is not to be taken lightly, nor broken easily. It is a sacred trust, built on faith and love, and it’s yours to keep, protect, and honor.

OFFICIANT (to congregation):

Now it’s time for the Meher, which starts in Muslim tradition with an offering by the groom to the bride. Today we use a ring as this offering.

OFFICIANT (to congregation):

As is tradition, _________ will now give the ring to _________ as a symbol of his promise to provide for her, and of her freedom within their marriage.

OFFICIANT (to _________):

_________, you’re about to enter into a sacred covenant with _________ and Allah, with these loved ones and myself as witnesses. Will you give her this ring as a symbol of your promise to honor and provide for her the rest of her life, and as a symbol of her freedom as your wife?

OFFICIANT (to couple):

_________, _________, in the site of these witnesses and before Allah, are you ready to pledge yourselves to one another?

OFFICIANT (to congregation):

Now that the ring has been delivered and the covenant has been signed by _________, _________ and [Named Witnesses], I’d like to offer a blessing by giving them a few words on marriage.

Marriage, as we’ve covered, is not only a sacred tradition among the ways of man, it’s a sacred tradition in the eyes of Allah. It’s part of His design and purpose for our lives. We are created as beings who are not meant to be alone. We are meant to have someone to help us on our journey in faith and in life. A husband and a wife ought to be patient with one another. They should be respectful and kind. They should not hold grudges, and be quick to forgive. Those qualities are built on a foundation of love, faith, and trust.

It’s love that is going to help you get through the tests and valleys, and it’s love that’s going to make the joys of life that much sweeter.

It’s faith that’s going to keep you on the path of righteousness and steady you when you’re in the midst of turmoil. A faith that’s shared between the two of you is twice as strong.

Finally, it’s trust that allows you to be vulnerable and honest with one another. Trust is built through faith at first, then strengthened by evidence, and finally demonstrated in the devotional acts of love we do for each other every day.

OFFICIANT (to couple):

In accordance with the laws of Allah, and the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church and the state of _______________, I pronounce you husband and wife.