Title: Repeating the Nikah Question: I would like to ask whether a nikah ceremony can be held again? A couple has done nikah without the boy's parents knowledge. The boy's parent were not wiling to let their son marry that girl. nikah was done mainly so that immigration process of a certain country can start. The girl has been living with her parents since then but now the boy's family is ready for the marriage, as they have no idea about the nikah . Would it be alright if the nikah ceremony is held again? Answer: The Shari'ah (i.e. Islamic Law) allows a couple, under no duress, to bind themselves together with the fulfillment of the Nikah (i.e. marriage contract). The permission of the parents is not an essential ingredient to fulfill the marriage contract. Of course you should keep in mind that the matrimony must be made public and cannot be in secret. Still, your original contract is legal and binding. It is not necessary to repeat this step as all the elements of the contract have been actualized. Nevertheless, if you are asking whether some sort of ceremony can be performed to include the groom's family then this is a matter of personal choice. The original contract is valid and since there is no Islamic "ceremony" only an agreement on the contract then you may celebrate or perform any ceremony you wish even if it is a reenactment of the ceremony you already performed. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan September 20, 2004