He married her then he found out that her name was false

He married her then he found out that her name was false

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I got married one year ago and I fulfilled all the conditions of marriage that I was aware of, such as the agreement of the woman's guardian, witnesses, the mahr (dowry) and so on. Before we got married she told me that her full name was “A M D”, as it appeared on her official papers. One year later I found out that her name is “A S Y” and that she changed the names of her father and grandfather to names that have nothing to do with the originals so that it would be easier for her to enter the Kingdom, and she made me use her false name for one year, and she did not tell me the truth. It should be noted that she always lies, even about the most trivial matters. Is this marriage contract invalid? Please note that I never heard her true name even from her guardian when the marriage contract was done.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

It is not one of the essential parts or conditions of
marriage that correct names be used; rather it is sufficient to specify the
woman to whom marriage is proposed and with whom the marriage contract is
done. If there is some error in the name or a false name is given, that does
not affect the validity of the marriage. 

It says in al-Sharh al-Mumti‘ by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
(49, 48, 12), in a discussion on the conditions of marriage: 

1.

Specifying the partners: because the marriage contract has to
do specifically with them, the husband and wife. It is a serious matter on
which rulings on lineage, inheritance and rights depend. Hence it is
essential to specify who the partners are. It is not acceptable to say “I
give my daughter in marriage to one of your sons” or “I give my daughter in
marriage to one of these two men: of “I give my daughter in marriage to a
student in the college.” Rather it is essential to be specific. And it is
also essential to be specific with regard to the wife, and say (for
example): “I give you my daughter in marriage.” 

There are several ways of specifying: 

(i)               
By pointing and saying “I give
this daughter of mine to you in marriage,” and (the groom) says, “I accept.”

(ii)             
By naming her, such as saying
“I give my daughter Faatimah to you in marriage,” and he has no other
daughter by this name.

(iii)           
By mentioning her with some
distinguishing characteristic, such as saying, “My daughter who completed
grade ten this year” or “My tall/short/fair/dark/blind daughter” and so on

(iv)           
By mentioning some real fact,
such as saying “I give my daughter to you in marriage,” when he has no other
daughter. 

End quote. 

So in terms of validity, the marriage is valid. 

But what this woman did is something that is haraam and there
is no difference of scholarly opinion with regard to that. For a Muslim to
attribute himself to someone other than his father is something that the
scholars regard as a major sin, because of the stern warnings that are
narrated concerning it. This has been discussed previously in the answers to
questions no. 638 and
1942. 

What she has to do is repent from that action of hers and
correct her name. She should fear Allah when speaking and not speak anything
but the truth, for speech may lead to Paradise or to Hell. The Muslim has to
strive when speaking to seek the truth, justice, honesty and fairness. 

And Allah knows best.