What is a valid marriage?

The validity of a marriage can be checked through the nikahnama, which is considered integral to a religiously-valid Islamic marriage. The Qazi will maintain the nikahnama. If there is no nikahnama then the Qazi himself can be the witness.¹

The nikah can also be done though phone or the internet.²  It will be valid in cases where the parties make a proposal and acceptance before their witnesses and an advocate who is present. The witnesses and the parties must be familiar with the person appointed as the advocate and should know their name, father’s name and residential address which is also mentioned at the time of the proposal and the acceptance.

1. Mulla, D. F., Sir. (n.d.). Principles of Mahomedan Law (20th ed.) p.332.[↩]
2. Mulla, D. F., Sir. (n.d.). Principles of Mahomedan Law (20th ed.) p.333.[↩]