The Ruling on Marriage Contracts via Correspondence and the Internet
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
This questioner says: What is your opinion, Honorable Shaykh, in our present time regarding correspondence via computer and proposing to women? Is it permissible to marry via correspondence through such means?
Answer:
Marriage must be conducted in the presence of the parties. The presence for the contract requires the presence of two parties: the husband and the wife, or the wife’s guardian (wali) with the husband. That is, the husband or his agent must be present, and the wife’s guardian or his agent must be present at the time of the contract, for the utterance of the offer and acceptance. It must take place in the session of the contract; it is not sufficient via correspondence, mobile phone, or the internet. Presence is required. Nowadays, marriage is documented; it is documented in the court or with the marriage officer. The presence of both parties before the contract officer or the marriage officer is required; it is necessary. This is because the marriage contract is a serious contract that requires precautions and verification. It is a contract that requires the presence of both parties or their agents in the session of the contract. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you and bless you.
This questioner says: What is your opinion, Honorable Shaykh, in our present time regarding correspondence via computer and proposing to women? Is it permissible to marry via correspondence through such means?
Answer:
Marriage must be conducted in the presence of the parties. The presence for the contract requires the presence of two parties: the husband and the wife, or the wife’s guardian (wali) with the husband. That is, the husband or his agent must be present, and the wife’s guardian or his agent must be present at the time of the contract, for the utterance of the offer and acceptance. It must take place in the session of the contract; it is not sufficient via correspondence, mobile phone, or the internet. Presence is required. Nowadays, marriage is documented; it is documented in the court or with the marriage officer. The presence of both parties before the contract officer or the marriage officer is required; it is necessary. This is because the marriage contract is a serious contract that requires precautions and verification. It is a contract that requires the presence of both parties or their agents in the session of the contract. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you and bless you.
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 03/227 — archive.org (4:10)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.