Consent
The consent of both the bride and groom is essential for a valid Nikah in Islam. Both parties must willingly agree to enter into the marriage contract without force or pressure.
Wali
A Wali refers to a guardian or representative who acts on behalf of the bride during the marriage contract, and the conditions of the Wali or guardian are as follows:
Who could be a guardian for a woman?
A woman’s Wali (guardian) is:
her father, then whoever her father may have appointed,
her grandfather from the father side,
her son,
Note: The Wali, the women's lawful guardian or the one responsible for the bride's marriage, must clarify his statement and speech and not say a word that could lead to a different understanding. He must appoint the spouse; for instance, it is invalid for the guardian to say: my daughter is your wife when the father or guardian has daughters other than her.
Mahr
Mahr refers to the dowry or any property given as a gift before, at, or after the marriage, as part of the marriage contract. It is a required condition in Islam and shows the husband's duty and financial commitment to his wife, and both parties must agree upon the payment of mahr before the Nikah.
Witnesses
The presence of witnesses is another crucial condition for a valid Nikah in Islam. Witnesses can be those who attend the marriage ceremony or called witnesses. And these steps should be done so that the man or the woman cannot deny the marriage contract, the Mahr, or being a child's father in case the two married couples have a conflict later.
The woman must set the amount of the Mahr herself. It's her right. Marriage is still legal without a dowry, but the woman is still entitled to a Mahr, according to other women of similar status. However, Allah says"...and give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly on you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and with pleasure" (Chapter 4:4).
