Having two marriage ceremonies

2-5-2000 | IslamWeb

Question:

Q1) IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO MARRY THE SAME GIRL TWICE: MARRY IN THE COURT AND THEN MARRY HER BACK AT HOME TO COMPLETE THE FAMILY FORMALITIES? ONE NIKAH IS IN K.S.A AND SECOND IS IN INDIA?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Dear Brother,

Do not make two acts of marriage with the same woman. One act is enough (in Saudi Arabia or in India). Know also that there is no relation between the marriage act and the Walima (wedding banquet). The act could be done in a country and the Walima in a different one.

So, if you have decided to make the marriage act in the court in Saudi Arabia and then do a wedding ceremony back home in India where you invite your relatives and friends, there is no harm in doing so, as it makes you share your joy with them.

Moreover, know that the Walima (wedding banquet) is not obligatory unlike the marriage act, which is an obligation. This act is actually a pre-condition to having any self-enjoyment with the woman.

Engagement in Islam does not mean anything but a promise for marriage.