Understanding Marriage Validity: Common Mispronunciation Issues Explained

Is a Marriage Valid If Names Are Pronounced Incorrectly?

Question: A boy’s marriage was officiated by a cleric, but the girl’s marriage was officiated by her father, and there was a mistake in the name, for example, the father’s name was not pronounced correctly. It has been a year since the marriage, and now it has come to light. Is this marriage valid?

Answer: If there is a verbal mistake in pronouncing the boy’s name or his father’s name during the marriage ceremony, it does not affect the validity of the marriage. The girl’s guardian (wali) was consenting, and the marriage was accepted by the boy on behalf of the girl through her guardian. The essence of the marriage contract is the offer and acceptance, and a verbal mistake in the name does not matter. The marriage remains valid.

As for the issue of the girl’s marriage being officiated, it is a cultural practice and has no bearing on the validity of the marriage. The girl’s silence is considered her consent, and her guardian will conduct the marriage on her behalf. Even if there was a mistake in pronouncing the name during the girl’s marriage ceremony, it does not affect the validity of the marriage. The marriage remains valid.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah

 ❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫