Nikah Nama Columns Explained
The Nikah Nama runs to some two dozen columns, mostly in Urdu legal terminology. This guide explains the columns that carry lasting legal consequences — in plain English — so you know exactly what you are signing.
Quick Answer
The columns that matter most record: the parties' identity particulars, the Haq Mehr and its prompt/deferred split, property given in lieu of mehr, special conditions, the delegated right of divorce (Talaq-e-Tafweez), previous marital status, the witnesses, and the registrar's licence details.
The Columns at a Glance
| Column Group | What It Records | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parties' particulars | Names, parentage, dates of birth, CNIC numbers | Copied into the register and MRC; must match CNICs exactly |
| Haq Mehr | Total dower; prompt (mu'ajjal) and deferred (mu'wajjal) split | The wife's enforceable legal right |
| Property in lieu | Property given instead of or within the mehr | Must be described precisely to be enforceable |
| Special conditions | Terms agreed by the couple | Binding if lawful and clearly worded |
| Talaq-e-Tafweez | Delegated right of divorce for the wife, with conditions | A significant right — decide deliberately, not by default |
| Previous marital status | Divorce, widowhood, or subsisting marriage with permission | Concealment creates serious legal exposure |
| Witnesses | Two adult Muslim witnesses' particulars and signatures | Essential to the validity of the nikah |
| Registrar | Nikah Registrar's name, licence and seal | The basis of Union Council registration |
The Mehr Columns in Detail
The mehr entries record the total dower, how much is mu'ajjal (prompt — payable whenever the wife demands) and how much is mu'wajjal (deferred — payable on dissolution or death), and any property given in lieu. The split matters: a largely prompt mehr is immediately enforceable, while a deferred mehr falls due later. Record the real agreement, precisely.
The Conditions and Delegated-Divorce Columns in Detail
The conditions column records terms the couple agree — residence, education, financial arrangements — provided they are lawful and clearly worded. The Talaq-e-Tafweez column records whether the husband delegates a right of divorce to the wife and on what conditions. Both columns are frequently struck through without discussion; both deserve a conscious decision, because what is written binds and what is blank is hard to raise later.
Reading the Urdu Terminology
The prescribed form is in Urdu. If you are more comfortable in English, ask for each column to be read and explained before signing — a legitimate registrar will welcome it. Our Urdu Nikah Nama guide covers the standard terminology, and for use abroad we arrange certified English translation of the completed document.
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