Is a Civil Marriage a Considered to be a Nikah?

Question:

As-salaam Alaykum.  I got married under English law but have not done the nikah; is this still recognized in Islam?

The reason I ask this is that he became abusive, and I want to get a divorce. I can push through a legal divorce; however, he states that as we are also married in the eyes of Islam, due to us having the intention to get married in front of two witnesses, we are also married Islamically, and he refuses to divorce me Islamically.

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

The Conditions of a Nikah

Your civil marriage could have been a valid nikah, depending on the way the ceremony was conducted. A nikah has an offer and an acceptance which are to be made in the presence of two male – or one male and two female – witnesses. (Mawsili, al-Mukhtar)

There are a few details which also need to be present. It would be best to discuss the ceremony with a reliable local scholar to get his feedback.

A Civil Divorce is Also a Shar’i Divorce

If you pursue a divorce through the courts, your husband will eventually sign a document that gives his clear consent for the court to issue a divorce. In essence, he would be tasking the court to issue a divorce on his behalf, and the signing of this would entail a divorce in the Shari’a. (Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al Muhtar)

As I said, it is best to consult with a local scholar on this issue. This is very important to ensure things are done validly: ”Ask those of the Remembrance if you do not know.” (Qur’an, 16:43)

May Allah facilitate all matters for you.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.