Short answer
Yes. A nikah done while the bride is on her period is valid, because the contract has no condition of purity. What must wait is intercourse, until her bleeding stops and she has done ghusl. All four schools agree. Divorce during a period is a different matter: that is sinful, though it still takes effect.
The nikah contract is valid during haid and nifas; its conditions are offer, acceptance and witnesses, with no purity condition. Intercourse remains haram until the period ends. If the nikah is held in a mosque, the bride should not enter the prayer hall while menstruating.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Brides often worry when their period arrives near the wedding date. There is no need to postpone the nikah. The Quran forbids intercourse during menstruation, not marriage, and the Prophet ﷺ said: do everything except intercourse. Interestingly, the word he used for intercourse in that hadith is nikah, which is one reason people get confused.
Practical points:
- The contract: the bride, or her wakil, gives consent, the groom accepts, and two witnesses are present. Purity plays no part. See the conditions of a valid nikah.
- Venue: if the nikah is in a mosque, hold the bride's part in a hall or room outside the prayer area, or let her give consent through her wali or wakil.
- The wedding night: intercourse waits until her period ends. Spending time together, talking and other closeness are allowed. See intercourse during the period.
- Delaying the period: some brides take medication to delay it; most scholars allow this if it causes no harm. Ask your doctor.
Talaq is the opposite case: the Prophet ﷺ was angry when Ibn Umar divorced his wife during her period and told him to take her back. So marriage on the period is fine, divorce on the period is not. For more, see the nikah guide.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:222
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًۭى فَٱعْتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِى ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ﴿٢٢٢﴾
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."
What is forbidden during the period is intercourse, not the marriage contract.
Sahih Muslim 302
Sahih... اصنعوا كل شيء إلا النكاح ...
"Do everything except intercourse."
Only intercourse is forbidden with a menstruating wife.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Nikah, opening chapter. Nikah is concluded by offer and acceptance in the presence of witnesses; purity is not a condition.
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Talaq, chapter on the sunnah divorce. Divorce during menstruation is bid'i and sinful, though it takes effect.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.