Publicizing a Nikah

Q. My fiancée is a foreigner and I am a local South African? My fiancée wishes to make Nikah with me secretly? Is it correct to make Nikah secretly in Islam?

A. After a potential couple decides to get married, the Nikah of both couples should be announced and made known to the people. Consider the following Hadeeth:

Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “Publicize the Nikah.” (Musnad Ahmad)

Furthermore, if a couple decides to make Nikah secretly, there are many challenges and consequences they will be faced with:

– The couple will not freely interact with each other as they would want to conceal their Nikah/marriage. This defeats the purpose of a Nikah.

– The couple will not be free of accusations of an illicit relationship when seen in public.

– Pregnancy with its consequences and many more consequences…..

Therefore, the Nikah should not be done secretly. It should be publicized.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com