I am a student of deen
and had a query that I wasn’t sure about. Could you please assist.

With regards to a male
and female of mature age eloping.

1) is the nikah valid
without the knowledge of the wali

2) do they have to
have witnesses?

3) if the nikah is
termed mowquuf with regards to the walis approval or not then the stage wherein
he has not yet knowledge of it is it nikah or are they committing zina

4) if the nikah is
annulled by the wali does the girl have to sit in iddah

5) on what grounds can
the wali terminate the nikah 

Answer: 

1. Yes, the Nikah of a mature female without the consent of the Wali is valid if she got married to a Shar’íe-compatibile partner and the stipulated Mahr was equivalent to the Mahr Mithl or more. If compatibility is not found between the spouses in terms of Deen, family status, etc. then according to the Mufta-bihi view (the accepted and preponderant view), the Nikaah will not even be valid. In the case where compatibility is found, but the Mahr Mithl is not stipulated in full, the Wali has the right to demand payment of the full Mahr Mithl. If the husband refuses to pay the full Mahr Mithl, the Wali reserves the right of having the Nikah annulled. Additional details pertaining to annulment are discussed below under #5.

فَنَفَذَ نِكَاحُ حُرَّةٍ مُكَلَّفَةٍ بِلَا رِضَا وَ ل وله اذا كان عصبة الاعتراض في غير الكفو مالم تلد منه ويفتي في غير الكفوء بعدم جوازه اصلا وهو المختار للفتوي درمختار ص 458 ج 2

2. The presence of two males, or one male and two female as witnesses is a requirement for the validity of the Nikah.

ولا ينقعد نكاح المسلمين إلا بحضور شاهدين حرين بالغين عاقلين مسلمين أو رجلٍ وامرأتين، عدولاً كانوا أو غير عدولٍ

3. In regards to the Nikah being dependent on the permission of the Wali, this has only been the view of Imaam Muhammad Rahimahullah. Imaam Muhammad Rahimahullah states that Nikah solemnized without the consent of the Wali is dependent on the consent of the Wali irrespective of whether compatibility exists between the spouses or not. However, it is recorded that Imaam Muhamamd Rahimahullah then retracted from this view and reverted to the same view as Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah and Imaam Yusuf Rahimahullah, which is Dhaahirur- Riwaayah. This brings us to the conclusion that all three A’immah are unanimous in their decision (which is recorded in Dhaahirur-Riwaayah) that the Nikah of Baaligh couples without the consent of their Awliya is valid and correct (unless compatibility is not found). is therefore not correct to issue a verdict against this ruling which all three A’immah have agreed upon it. [Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyya Pg.123/124 Vol.17]

Based on the above explanation, the Nikah will be valid and the couple will not be considered to be involved in adultery.

4. In the case of annulment of marriage (for whatever reason) the lady is required to serve her Iddat which is three menstrual cycles from the point of annulment.

5. The Kitaabs of Fiqh states that compatibility is required in terms of family status, Deen, wealth (meaning that boy must be able to pay the Mahr and provide the girl with her expenditure), and it is considered in terms of profession as well. Similarly, the Awliya (guardians) are entitled to demand that the girl receives Mahr-e-Mithl as her Mahr.

والكفاءة في النكاح معتبرةٌ، فإذا تزوجت المرأة غير كفء فللأولياء أن يفرقوا بينهما. والكفاءة تعتبر في النسب والدين والمال، وهو: أن يكون مالكاً للمهر والنفقة، وتعتبر في الصنائع، وإذا تزوجت المرأة ونقصت من مهرها فللأولياء الاعتراض عليها عند أبي حنيفة حتى يتم لها مهر مثلها أو يفارقها. )المختصر القدوري ص 578(

And Allah Ta'aala knows best

ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B 

Date: 20 Jumadal Ukhra 1440 - English Date: 25 February 2019