Is there a legitimate period between the marriage contract (aqd al-qiran) and the wedding for completing home preparations, or should the Fatiha be recited before the procession (jahah) and the contract written?

There is no specific timeframe between the marriage contract (aqd al-zawaj) and the wedding (zafaf); rather, the matter is left to the discretion of the spouses according to what is deemed beneficial. The wife is given time to prepare what she needs in terms of furniture and belongings according to the custom of her people and country. The husband is forbidden from consummating the marriage before the expiry of this period, which is determined by custom. Reciting Al-Fatiha at the time of the marriage contract is not legislated and is not a condition for its validity.