FATWA

Question: What is the ruling of performing Nikaah via an online medium?

Answer:
الجواب بملهم الصدق والصواب

Nikaah(Marriage) in Islam is a sacred bond between a husband and wife. It is a Sunnah of the Prophets and an act of Ibaadah(worship). In Islam, a Nikaah is treated as a contract, executed when certain criteria are fulfilled. A Nikaah contract is executed with a Ijaab(Proposal) & Qabool (Acceptance), in the presence of two male witnesses, or one male and two female witnesses.[i] This stipulation is fulfilled when the witnesses are physically present in the same area where the Nikaah contract is taking place.[ii] It will not be fulfilled if the witnesses are online in two separate places[iii]. This is the opinion of the majority of Hanafi jurists and is what the contemporary expert jurists opine. This is the relied upon Fatwa. However, the Ulama have provided a method for properly executing a Nikaah via an online medium. If one of the two parties cannot be present at the same time, the potential husband may appoint a Wakeel (authorized representative). The Wakeel will contract the man’s marriage by pronouncing the Ijaab or Qubool on the man’s behalf. And Allah (SWT) Knows Best.

Written by: Abdurrahman Khan Student, Darul Ifta, Darul Uloom New York

Checked and approved by: Mufti Mizanur Rahman, Head Mufti,Darul Iftaa

Mufti Manzoor Ahmad

Mufti,Darul Iftaa

Nov 6, 2025

Jumada al-Oola 14,1447

Question: Suitability is found between an American man and a Bengali Girl. They go to the court and get married, despite the woman’s guardians not being happy with the marriage. Is this marriage considered valid or invalid in Sharia?

Answer:
الجواب بملهم الصدق والصواب

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, A parent’s input should always be considered when it comes to making lifelong decisions. Even though we might not agree with our parents, we should always value their opinions and input. The answer to the question posed in the above-mentioned scenario is as follows: Hanafi scholars have explicitly stated that if a woman contracts her own marriage without the consent of her guardian, although it is not preferable, the marriage is considered valid. The two nationalities, an American man and Bangladeshi woman, are considered equal under Islamic Law; therefore, the marriage conducted between the two is valid. Since the marriage between them is valid, the guardians have no right to object to the marriage. And Allah(swt) knows best