How is a religiously valid marriage contract concluded, what is the required formula for offer and acceptance to complete it, is the presence of witnesses required to hear the woman's consent, or is her guardian's statement sufficient, and must the dowry be handed over immediately after the contract?

For the validity of a marriage contract (nikah (definition)), its pillars must be present and its impediments absent. It is not a condition for the officiant or the witnesses to hear the woman's declaration of acceptance; rather, her guardian's declaration is sufficient. The accepted formula for the marriage contract varies among the madhhabs (schools of thought). The Hanbalis and Shafi'is stipulate only the words "I marry you (to her)" (anakahtuka) or "I give her to you in marriage" (zawwajtuka), whereas the Malikis and Hanafis permit any expression that indicates permanence, along with the mention of the dower (sadaq). In designating the wife, it is sufficient for the father to say, "I give my daughter to you in marriage," if he has no other daughter. Otherwise, distinction must be made by name, description, or by gesturing if she is present. It is sufficient for the suitor to say, "I accept her marriage," or simply "I accept." It is not a condition to mention the dower in the contract or to hand it over immediately after it; it is permissible to hand it over before it.