Do The Witnesses In a Marriage Have To Be Unrelated To The Bride and Groom?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question:
Assalamu ‘alaykum.
Is it required that the witnesses to a marriage be unrelated to the bride or groom?
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
I pray you are well.
No, that is not a condition for the validity of a marriage. The immediate family of the bride or groom can be witnesses to a marriage – even her father. (Marghinani, Hidaya)
Some people may ask someone known for their righteousness to be a witness. This is fine too. Although making the wedding ceremony and other gatherings connected to it as close to the type of events Allah loves is a bigger priority and cause for blessings.
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
