The Groom Left without Accepting and Offer and Acceptance Were Made with Another Young Man: Whose Nikah Is Valid?

Question

The wedding procession of Muhammad Taqi (an adult), son of Muhammad Shafi‘, came to Benares. People told the respected Niyaz Ahmad (the elder brother of Muhammad Shafi‘) that the respected teacher had been looking for him to perform the nikah. The people gave Niyaz Ahmad two witnesses and an agent from the girl’s side and sent him for the girl’s nikah; he obtained the girl’s consent.

Answer

Muhammad Taqi got up and left before accepting, so no nikah took place. The girl gave no permission for the nikah with Afzal son of Muhammad ‘Umar, nor does she know of it; so if, on hearing of the nikah, the girl rejected it, then that nikah did not take place either. If the girl approved it, this nikah is valid.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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