In Abdul Kadir v. Salima (1886) 8 All 149, Justice Mahmood stated, “Marriage among Muslims is not a sacrament but purely a civil contract.” On the other hand, another noted scholar of Muslim Law, Abdul Rahim states that marriage among Muslims is both an Ibadat (devotional act) as well as muamlat (dealings among men). In the light of these statements, discuss the exact nature of Nikah, pointing out its essential features and referring to case-law wherever required.                           (15 Marks)