Q: In an online marriage, how is the offer and acceptance (ijab wa qabul) properly done, and what are the requirements for witnesses?
A: In an online marriage, the ijab (offer) and qabul (acceptance) must take place in the same live session (majlis al-‘aqd). The wali (e.g., the father) must say directly via live voice or video:
“I give you my daughter in marriage according to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and according to the agreed-upon dowry.”
The groom must then respond:
“I accept to marry your daughter according to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and the terms we agreed upon.”
This must be live—not pre-recorded. As long as two witnesses are present and hear this exchange, the marriage is valid. Importantly, the witnesses can be from either side or even unrelated strangers. It is not a requirement to have one witness from the bride’s side and another from the groom’s side. Any two trustworthy Muslim witnesses suffice.