Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Question: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
I want to know about the conditions for the marriage in Islam, to know if its allowed to marry in secret ( I mean, if just the bride and the groom and the witnesses knows about it) and if the parents of the woman don’t know about the marriage, is a marriage like this valid? And what about getting marry and to live in separate houses and nobody knowing they are married, is this allowed in Islam? And the last is I want to know what Islam says about temporary marriages?

Jazak Allahu Khairan

Answer:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

Marrying in secret is against the teachings of Islam. Marriage is something that brings about respect, honor and dignity. Through this, one is able to protect his/her chastity and ‘good name’ in the community. People must know that you are married so that they will not accuse you of having an illicit relationship or a sinful affair with one who is not your husband. It is for this reason the prophet (s.a.w) ordered his followers to announce their marriage and make it known to other people. In this regard, he (the Prophet (s.a.w)) said, ‘Announce the marriage and do it in the Masjid, and beat the Daff (a frame drum) upon it.’ (Recorded by Imam Tirmidhi from the narration of Aisha (R.A)). This tradition shows to what extent the Prophet (s.a.w) encouraged the Muslims to announce their marriages and not keep these a secret. He ordered that it should be announced and made public. He also said that it should be done in the Masjid. By doing so, a person will achieve the Barakah (blessings of the Masjid), and the Muslims of the community will also become aware of the marriage. Beating of the Daff, as mentioned in the tradition, brings about joy and happiness on the occasion of marriage, and also notifies people that a marriage has been done. (Mirqaat Commentary of Mishkaat Chapter on announcing the marriage).

Hence, marriage must not be known only to the bride, groom and witnesses. Parents must be made a part of the marriage. It will be extremely disappointing and distasteful for a boy and girl to contract their marriage without informing their parents or making them a part of it. Parents have a great authority over their children and they are the ones whom the Shariah has made responsible for marrying their children. As such, it is against the teachings of the sacred Shariah for children (boy or girl) to keep their parents in ignorance regarding their marriage. However, if the girl is an adult Muslim and has contracted her marriage in the presence of witnesses, then her marriage will be valid.

If a boy and girl gets married and they live in separate houses, and nobody knows that they are married, then there is no sin in this, and the marriage will be valid. However, this way of marriage is not in accordance to the guidelines and teachings which Islam has given regarding marriage.

Temporary marriage is totally Haraam in Islam. The Prophet (s.a.w) strictly prohibited this as recorded in Sahih Muslim.

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

14/2/2014.