Is it permissible, Islamically, for an engagement to be publicized with an offer and acceptance formula, such as the guardian of the fiancée saying to the suitor: "I give you my ward, the virgin, mature, and adult woman, in engagement according to the Book of Allah the Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and according to what we have agreed upon," and then the suitor replies: "And I accept her engagement from you according to the Book of Allah the Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and according to what we have agreed upon"? And does an engagement have a formula of offer and acceptance?
The proposal is neither a condition nor a pillar of marriage; rather, it is a recommended act that can be accomplished by any expression that indicates it, such as the suitor saying: "I wish to marry so-and-so," or "I wish to marry your daughter." There is no specific formula that must be adhered to, nor is a handshake required between the suitor and the guardian of the proposed bride.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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