Offer and Acceptance of Nikah in Jest and Offer and Acceptance of Sale in Jest

Question

If a man says to a woman, “I have married you,” and the woman also says in jest, “I have accepted”; and likewise in buying and selling, if someone sells something to another by way of jest and the other also accepts in jest — will this sale (bay‘) be concluded or not? Please also write which things take effect even in jest.

Answer

If the offer and acceptance of nikah are made in jest before witnesses, this nikah will be concluded. If the offer and acceptance of a sale are made in jest, actually selling was not intended, and both the seller and the buyer acknowledge this, then no sale is concluded thereby. Whatever things you wish to ask about, specify them and ask.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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