Is Verbal Marriage Valid in Islam?

Question: 364

Can the marriage contract be a verbal contract or must it be in writing?

Summary of answer

The marriage contract may be made verbally by means of an offer on the part of the bride’s guardian (e.g. “I marry my daughter off to you”) and acceptance on the part of the groom (e.g. “I accept”).

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

Writing down the contracts and agreements that people make among themselves is a way of confirming and formalizing them, but it is not a condition for the validity of the contract.

Writing it down is not a condition, but it does serve to document and confirm the contract, which is a good thing, especially nowadays.

For more details, please see the following answers: 108806, 82266, 11586, 1665.

And Allah knows best.

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Source:

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid