An engagement does not require specific expressions Fatwa No: 20661
- Fatwa Date:3-5-2011
What should the suitor say to the fiancée when he sends her the bridal jewelry or the dowry?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
An engagement is to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage, and any word that refers to it can express one's desire for marriage. Engagement is recommended, but not obligatory.
There is no specific phrase that a suitor should say when he sends a gift or a dowry to the girl he wants to engage. He can say any word indicating that he is sending either a gift or a dowry.
Allaah Knows best.