'Akad Nikah' is known as the solemnization of marriage or in a simpler sense the wedding vows in a traditional Malay wedding. This solemnization is done by either the father of the bride, or delegated to the kadi or other designated Islamic religious official. The groom must say the acceptance of marriage in one breath, otherwise it has to be taken again. The traditional Malay wedding is full of fun and delights but of course it has to start with the 'akad nikah'. This formal contract of marriage is one of the Islamic requirements and that happens when the bridegroom seals the 'contract' with either the bride’s father, or an authorized person called 'wali' who is either the bride’s male sibling, uncle or very close relative.
Before the 'akad nikah' proper, as preliminaries, the imam will try to make the groom comfortable. He will give out advice and suggestions on the duties of a good husband and wife. Sometimes, he might test the groom on religious matters by asking him to recite a few verses of the Al-Quran, or knowledge of the basic pillars of Islam and faith.
But since nowadays all potential marriage partners must attend a wedding course before they can get married, it is usually assumed that the groom is well versed in basic Islamic knowledge.
Well, the 'akad nikah' will start with the groom sitting (on a small square mattress to make him comfortable,) facing the imam. They will then hold hands in a handshake manner, and the imam will say the words of the 'akad nikah' to the groom who will then reply.
There will be witnesses surrounding both the imam and the groom. This is for the groom to recites his vows in a single breath with witnesses around to help prove that the groom recited his vows in a single breath. But before that, the imam will say the words of marriage to the groom, he will shake the hand of the groom. This acts to signify to the groom to make the reply.
As the groom replies, the groom must utter his vows in a single breath and must be clearly heard by at least two of the main witnesses sitting beside the imam. The imam will then ask both witnesses and others whether the groom’s vows or recital can be accepted. If they agree, then the marriage is solemnized and the wedded ones are now deemed husband and wife.
And the imam then immediately recites prayers for a happy and blissful marriage for the newly wedded couple. He will then read to the groom the duties of a husband, his rights, the dos and don’ts, and also the duties and rights of the wife.
He will mention in particular the stages in pursuing the Islamic divorce and the consequences of reciting divorce intentions including incidences where it is lawful for the wife to seek divorce.
And after the imam has finished with his advice, the groom, acknowledging the advice given, will then sign the formal papers of marriage for official documentation purpose.
The formalities of the 'akad nikah' being over, and after his short prayer, the groom now will go to his wife and slip in the marriage ring, in a brief Malay traditional ceremony known as "membatal air sembahyang" or "breaking the solah ablution".
This is symbolizes that he now can touch the bride being her lawful husband. In Islam, males are not allowed to touch unrelated females, and vice versa, unless the skin or parts are covered. Now, however, as husband and wife there are no such restrictions or prohibitions.
The ceremony ends with the bride kissing the groom’s hands after the placing of the ring.
And they will later in the afternoon proceed for the "Bersanding" ceremony sitting "in state" on the pelamin the highlight of a traditional Malay wedding.
Then after the ceremony and all, in a few weeks time, the Religious Department will deliver him the official marriage certificate.
The groom will then do the Muslim two rakaah "Solah Syukur" meaning a prayer, as a gratitude to Allah on the successful proceedings and to seek guidance on his new status as a husband.
