Expert: Sirine Malas - 1/12/2011

Question
hi im married to a muslim guy, we done nikka just after the birth of our daughter just want to knw in england are we really married and dose our marrage count over here a lil confused

Answer
Hi Rhianna,

I think you really need to consult an expert in British civil law rather than Arabic culture to get the right answer to this question.

But in Arab countries if you want an authentic marriage certificate done as Nikah (as you call it- which is a contract of marriage done based on the Islamic Shariaa that is documented (like on paper and not just done verbally)  and registered in the governement then you need to do it through a certified and liscensed employee of the government and not just an Islamic figure like an Imam, Mulla or Sheikh. These people can give you a nikah that is righful by relegion and social standards but not by official ones.

Either that or you can get married according to any relegion you pertain to the same exact way , be it Durzi or Christian or Sheeat etc...

Civil marriage does not exist in most Arab countries, and is not considered legitimate.

I hope this has helped.

Cheers
Sirine