Muslim Civil Marriage: Secure Your Marriage with 4 Simple Steps
As Muslims seek to blend traditional values with modern legal protections, many are opting for civil marriage in addition to their religious ceremonies to ensure their union is recognized globally and safeguarded by both legal and religious standards.
This blog will detail the Muslim civil marriage process and outline the required documentation for both civil and religious celebrations.
Table of Contents
Civil Marriage For Muslims
This new marriage act in UAE has meant that Muslims from other countries can get married quite easily. Couples can easily get their Muslim civil marriage by following a simple procedure through the Abu Dhabi court and thus make their relationship valid in a legal manner.
In a Muslim civil marriage, however, both spouses are accorded legal rights into the division of property, alimony, and child custody. Muslim civil marriages are also accompanied by a great deal of privileges, including inheritance rights, social security benefits, and the right to sponsor each other for visas and residency.
It is easy for the Muslims who are residing in the UAE to perform a Muslim civil marriage. In Abu Dhabi, a court attestation officer registers and completes a civil marriage for both the residents of the UAE as well as for visitors in Abu Dhabi.
Civil Marriage Eligibility
Federal Law No. (41) of 2022 on Civil Personal Status governs family matters including marriage. Article 5 outlines the conditions for a civil marriage:
- Both partners must be at least 21 years old.
- The individuals must not be related.
- Both must provide explicit consent to marry.
- Proof of single status is required.
- Signing a disclosure form is necessary.
How to Prepare for a Civil Court Marriage
Civil court marriages are simple if you have the following:
- ID
- Passport
- Previous marriage annulment or divorce decree
- Two male witnesses
Understanding Muslim Civil Marriage and Shariah Marriage
Couples in Abu Dhabi have two options: a Muslim civil marriage or a Shariah marriage, each with its legal framework and procedures. Each route addresses different needs depending on religious beliefs, preference of law, and personal circumstances.
In Abu Dhabi, Muslim civil marriages are governed by Federal Law No. 41/2022 on Civil Personal Status, and it ensures a modern approach to marriage.
The legal regime wipes out the requirement of permission from the guardians, known as Wali, which essentially makes it easier for couples to marry without the interference of families compulsorily, which would be so in the case of a traditional setup.
Moreover, under the law for Muslim civil marriage, neither of the spouses is required to take any medical test. On the other hand, Muslim civil marriage blesses an interreligious union whereby persons of different faiths can be lawfully married upon fulfillment of certain conditions.
Once all the requirements have been achieved, the marriage is registered with the UAE Courts or the relevant authority, which will grant full legal recognition in the UAE and across borders. This approach is particularly appealing to expatriates or individuals who prefer less religious pressure on their marriage process.
On the other hand, Shariah marriages derive their basis from Islamic law and thus are rather traditional and conservative. Under Shariah, the process of marriage involves specific religious responsibilities and rituals.
One of the main prerequisites is that the guardian of the bride, referred to as Wali, must provide consent for the execution of a marriage, once again showing how family and guardianship are an integral part of an Islamic marriage.
Moreover, the medical tests of the bride and groom are also necessary to verify their health and compatibility with each other for marriage. These types of marriages are registered in the courts of Islam; they also have religious importance, which follows the rules and values of Islam.
Further, most Shariah marriages permit the union to occur only within the same religion because Islamic law does not allow interfaith marriages unless the situation calls for certain religious conversions or permissions.
The attractiveness of the civil marriage framework is toward those seeking an inclusive or smooth legal procedure, whether interfaith couples or trying to avoid traditional religious obligations. Shariah marriages, for their part, remain closely related to Islamic traditions.
Ultimately, the type of marriage-whether civil or Shariah-would depend upon personal, legal, and religious preferences. While Muslim civil marriages make it easier to work out legal matters and provide more flexibility for a couple, Shariah marriages follow Islamic traditions and thus are very attractive to those who consider religious attachments very vital in the solemnization of a marriage.
Whether you choose a Muslim civil marriage or a Shariah marriage, Easy Wedding is here to guide you through every step.
Opting for a Muslim Civil Marriage
Whereas Sharia law governs marriage in the UAE, a civil marriage might go a long way in facilitating ease in subsequent legal proceedings. In the event of a Muslim civil marriage, one is assured of global legal recognition and freedom from complications arising from premarital screenings. It makes the application process more fluent and straightforward.
Civil Marriage Procedure
Here’s a straightforward way to get your civil marriage done:
Step 1
Complete your Nikkah ceremony and obtain MOFA attestation for the marriage certificate in the UAE.
Step 2
Organize the required documents, such as passport, ID cards, and divorce or annulment certificates.
Step 3
Schedule a date for your civil court marriage.
Step 4
Attend the court on the appointed day to finalize the marriage and get your official certificate.
Begin Your Civil Marriage Process Today!
Are you ready to skip the complex steps and opt for an easier way to tie the knot?
With Easy Wedding, have a smooth, stress-free marriage in Abu Dhabi. No hassles, no long procedures—just a Muslim civil marriage.
Contact us to get married now!
FAQs
Can a Muslim marry a non-Muslim in the UAE?
Whereas a Muslim man is allowed to marry outside his faith, for instance, Christians or Jews, a Muslim woman can seldom marry outside her faith, particularly with non-Muslim men, without first changing their faith to Islam. Only recently, however, there are new laws that have been implemented allowing Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men through civil court processes without necessarily forcing the latter to change their faith.
Do you need to be a resident of the UAE to get married?
No, you are not required to be a resident in UAE to marry there. Even tourists get married in the UAE. All you have to do is simply submit an application with your passport and documents showing proof of your current status. Your marriage will be approved after these are reviewed.
Is civil marriage the same as Nikah?
No, civil marriage and Nikah are different. Nikah is the name of a religious marriage ceremony, which is carried out according to Islamic rituals and is permissible in Islamic countries, including the UAE. A civil marriage is a non-religious legal marriage dealt with by the government. It is for couples who do not want to have a religious ceremony.
