PermissibleMarriage & Family · Nikah
If we did not sign a marriage contract, is the Nikah still valid?
The answer
Nikah is executed with the verbal exchange of an offer and acceptance by the spouses or their representatives in the presence of eligible witnesses. Therefore, not signing a marriage contract will not have any impact on your Nikah[1].
Explanation
Mufti Faraz Adam
www.darulfiqh.com
(المبسوط للسرخسي (5/ 16
فإن النكاح ينعقد بلفظين أحدهما عبارة عن الماضي والآخر عن المستقبل والشافعي ومحمد رحمهما الله تعالى سويا بينهما، والفرق لعلمائنا رحمهم الله تعالى أن البيع يقع ببغتة وفلتة فقوله بعني يكون استياما عادة فلا بد من الإيجاب والقبول بعده فأما النكاح يتقدمه خطبة ومراودة فقلما يقع بغتة
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.