In the past I met my bf (ex-as I no longer do this sort of thing anymore) in private. By private I mean just me and him having a stroll through the park alone without any friends, however there were many people who did pass by, we were silly and said things like ‘will you marry me, yes I accept, I accepted’, and declarations of marriage; people may have over heard our convo and who happened to walk by, will this have made a marriage take place? I am really afraid that my nikah is done, this was a long time ago, like 4 years and now my parents are actually looking for me to get married. Please tell me I’m not married and reply to me please. Jazakallah!
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(Fatwa: 1434/1111/D=01/1434)
It is necessary for nikah that ijab and qubool are done past tense in the presence of two Muslim witnesses. The words which you have quoted are not of past tense rather it is as a promise in future, secondly no witness was present there. It is not known whether the passersby heard your words completely or not. Again, it is doubtful whether they were Muslims or not as park is visited by every type of people (Muslims and not Muslims). In short, no nikah took place due to the said event. Thus you are free to marry as per your parents’ choice.
Allah knows Best!
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband