Can People Marry Without Meeting?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it possible for two people to perform nikah without having met until even after the nikah? I’ve read that the bride being present isn’t a necessary condition, and this is, of course, assuming the wali agrees and both parties are pleased
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Yes, it is possible and valid for two people to marry without meeting, as long as the integrals of Nikah (Islamic Marriage) are met, and Allah knows best.
Marriage Contract Integrals
Marriage has five integrals in the Shafi‘i School:
(a) the spoken form – offer and acceptance;
(b) two upright male witnesses;
(c) the bride’s guardian (or his proxy);
(d) the groom (or his proxy);
(e) and the bride. [Nawawi, Majmu‘]
Recommendation of Meeting
While it is permissible for the nikah to be conducted without the bride’s physical presence, it is recommended and encouraged for the bride to be aware of and agree to the marriage. Ideally, both parties should have an opportunity to meet and discuss matters before marriage. This helps in fostering a healthy relationship and ensuring compatibility and attraction. Allah knows best
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
Related
- Marriage in Islam
- Making Love Last
- Keys to Successful Muslim Marriages: Practical lessons that explain the Prophetic Spirit of Marriage
- 40 Hadiths on Successful Marriage: Key Teachings of the Prophet on Beautiful, Loving, Caring Married Life
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
