Accepting a Nikah by a Nod of the Head or by the Word “Agreed”

Question

Hind is a virgin. When she came before the witnesses, out of shyness she did not answer the ijab (offer) with the word “qabiltu” (I accept) or with any other word; rather, she remained silent, or signalled consent with a nod of her head; or, instead of “qabiltu”, she said “it is agreed”. Will the nikah then be concluded without any doubt or not?

Answer

By remaining silent or nodding the head the nikah will not be concluded, and by saying “it is agreed” it will be concluded. [ar]وينعقد بإيجاب وقبول وضعا للمضي، وبما وضع أحدهما له والآخر للاستقبال كزوجني، فإذا قال: زوجت، أو قبلت، أو بالسمع والطاعة. بزازية. اهـ. نص عبارتها: قال: زوجي نفسك مني، فقالت: بالسمع والطاعة، صح. اهـ.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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