Witnesses for the nikaah

Q: My father in law asked his daughter in front of myself and my two uncles whether she agreed to marry my brother. She allegedly replied 'yes.' My wife seen her sister nod her approval. My two uncles both heard the reply but I neither heard the question nor the reply because it was done in such a soft tone. Subsequently, in my presence and my brother in laws presence she was asked again to clarify. This time I heard the reply. My question is that tomorrow at the Musjid my uncle and I are witnesses to this marriage on the documentation that the girl signed. My uncle and I will also have to sign the same or another document.

  1. Will the marriage be valid based on the fact that, when asked by the Imam, both witnesses on the documentation, my uncle and I did not both hear the girl say yes at the same time, i.e. I heard her say yes about half hour later, when the girl was asked again.
  2. Is it permissible for me to sign the document saying I was a witness and say so when asked by the imam.

Pocket money for the wife

Q: I just want to ask a question about the money for a wife. I am pregnant my husband fulfills my all needs, but he does not give me pocket money as I need it for myself. e.g for my parents. My husband can afford it. Should he give me money or not?

Marrying within close family

Q: I read a Hadith which says,” The prophet (peace be upon him) once told one of his companions to choose a wife from a tribe different to his, and then to choose for his son a wife from a third tribe and to seek for his second son a girl from yet another tribe”. My question is, is this Hadith authentic? If so then it means that marriages should not be done within close family as cousins etc. I appreciate if you please comment.

What is the validity of rulings by Islamic Court of America

Q: I want to ask about the validity of rulings by Islamic Court of America (Walnut, California). An orphaned sister who was abused by her step mother was married to an abusive husband who could not hold a job. Therefore the sister became the primary bread winner for the family. The husband continued to be abusive and is said to have had illegitimate relationships with other women. The husband married the maid of another family and brought her home as his wife to live in the same modest accommodation. The sister (first wife) continued to be the bread winner for the now extended family, whilst the husband continued to be abusive now with both his wives. The sister (first wife) was very concerned about the safety of her son as the husband would severely beat the little child and as such the sister fearing her and her child's safety left the husband to go to US telling him that she could earn more money there. However, once she was in US with her son, she asked for a divorce. More than ten years have passed the husband denies giving khulla, whilst an American court has issued divorce and the Islamic Court of America (Walnut California) has issued Khulla declaration based on permission from the sister's father and uncle who were witnesses to the marriage, and the American court divorce. The husband refused to talk to the court or anyone else regarding the matter and clearly says that he will not give her khulla ever, no matter what, and he expects her to return to him and continue living together as they were before, whilst he is not capabale of affording to pay for most of the basic needs of the family. Two years later, the sister is now looking to remarry but some around her are raising questions on the validity of her Khulla. Can she marry again? Is this Khulla valid?