Question
A married man has proposed marriage to me. But he wants the marriage to be secret to avoid problems with his first wife. Will the nikah be valid? Please give me some advice.
Answer
While nikah in secret is valid, it is not advisable. You will have to live like the man's illicit mistress. You will not enjoy the full rights of a wife. Also be rest assured that the marriage will not remain secret for too long. It is bound to be exposed, then all hell will break loose. Our advice is that if the man is unable to have the nikah performed publicly and to maintain your status as an honourable wife, then it is best to refuse. How long will you live like a 'girl friend', always hiding from people as if you are in an adulterous union? Honour demands refusal. Nevertheless, the Nikah will be valid.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 26 No 08
- PDF page
- 3
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).