Nikaah & Marriage Issues

Brides representative

Q: I would like to know whether it is necessary for the brides representative to be her Mahram and if nikah was made without her Mahram as her representative will that nikah be valid also how many witnesses are necessary for the nikah to be valid?

Getting married to a girl who is not baaligh

Q: We learn that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) married Hazrath Ayesha (Radiyallahu Anha) at a very young age. Is this something that was limited to Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) or that era, or is it permissible for us to also make Nikah with a girl who is not baaligh? We also learn that Hazrath Ayesha (Radiyallahu Anaha) only went to live with Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) later. Was this because Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was waiting for Hazrath Ayesha (Radiyallahu Anha) to become baaligh before Hazrath Ayesha (Radiyallahu Anha) came to live with Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)?

Getting married in the presence of two witnesses

Q: I write to seek truth and guidance. Eight years ago at the age of 18, I met a 25 year old Muslim man and we entered into a serious relationship. Three months later I converted to Islam. We continued the relationship still, including zina. When we thought about marriage, both first marriages, we met with a sheikh to discuss an Islamic marriage, where he advised us to stay away from each other and to seek forgiveness and repentance before entering marriage. Unfortunately we did not comply, continuing sins even days before we preformed an Islamic marriage contract. Neither he nor I repented, separated, or observed a waiting period to see if pregnancy was apparent before the contract was made. Also, as a convert, I did not have a Wali when we did the marriage contract, and the actual contract states "herself", as I was my own Wali. Now we have been together since and just gave birth to our second son. I am asking to know if our marriage is valid or invalid (batil), and also the status of our two children if they are legitimate or not and can inherit from their father according to Islam. Also where do I stand from his family, including his brothers and his father, if they are or ever were relatives of mine if the marriage never existed or is invalid and are they related to our two children in any way if invalid. Please advise.