Is Arranging a Match Also a Nikah?

Question

Zayd came to Bakr’s house together with several people and stated the purpose. In reply Bakr said: “I have given my daughter so-and-so to your boy,” and Zayd accepted for his son. Sweets were distributed. After some time had passed, on a Friday, a request was presented to the respected Mawlana ‘Abd al-Latif of the Congregational Mosque, face to face together with Zayd: “I had given my girl to Zayd’s son; now I am not willing. May I give my girl elsewhere?

Answer

Once a nikah has validly taken place in one place, a nikah elsewhere is not valid — it is not permissible — as long as a shar‘i separation from the former husband by means of talaq, khul‘ and the like has not taken place and the ‘idda has not elapsed.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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