Validity Of Nikaah Done Via Video Conferencing

A Nikah conducted online via video conferencing will not be valid. The reason for this is that both parties (the one proposing and the one accepting), along with the two witnesses must be present at the same place at the same time. This is a precondition for the validity of one’s Nikah. The two parties on the video will be engaging in conversation from two different venues, therefore the proposal and acceptance will be regarded as invalid.

However, the correct procedure would be that one of the two parties select an individual to be their representative in the physical location of the other party. This procedure can be understood from the following example: A lives in Abu Dhabi and B lives in New York. In order for A to marry B, he will have to select someone to be his representative in the location where B is (New York). Now, the representative of A will make a proposal to party B in the presence of two witnesses who are physically present. Once party B accepts, the Nikah will be complete.

An alternative procedure can also be adopted. The bride-to-be calls the groom-to-be and tells him that “I am making you my Wakeel (representative) of performing my Nikah with yourself.” Thereafter, the groom says in the presence of two witnesses “Be witness that on the instruction of Fatimah (or whatever the name of the bride-to-be is), I have married Fatimah, the daughter of so and so, to myself. The Nikah will be complete.