Is it permissible, after the civil contract in Algeria—which precedes the Sharia contract—for the suitor to speak with the fiancée and for the fiancée to be seen without a head covering, knowing that the [Sharia] formula is not present in the civil contract? Does signing [the civil contract] constitute the formula of acceptance? And does this contract permit speaking with the suitor, her uncovering before him, and being alone with him to speak?

A marriage contract is not valid except with the ijab (offer) from the guardian or his representative, and the qabul (acceptance) from the husband or his representative. Merely writing and signing the contract is not sufficient. If the guardian or his representative pronounces the ijab, and the husband or his representative pronounces the qabul in the presence of two witnesses, then the contract is valid; otherwise, the woman remains a stranger to the man.