Is the secret marriage of a sister to a Muslim man in a non-Muslim society, performed by reciting the Fatiha with the consent of the guardian and both spouses, valid in Islamic law if the Muslim witnesses who knew of the marriage were absent, and is it sufficient to inform two Muslim witnesses of the marriage after its completion to make it valid?

Legitimate marriage has conditions and pillars, including the permission of the guardian and the presence of two witnesses. The majority of jurists stipulate witnessing at the time of the contract, while the Malikis consider the contract valid without initial witnessing, but cohabitation is not permissible until after witnessing. If the husband has not yet consummated the marriage, witnessing can occur at the time of cohabitation. If he cohabits before witnessing, the marriage must be annulled, and the contract can be renewed with its proper conditions if they wish to continue.