Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam,

I wanted to know whether court marriage is allowed in Islam because people has innovated so many rituals in marriage. If we want to avoid these rituals can we go for court marriage?

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Answer:

Court civil marriage

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: I wanted to know whether court marriage is allowed in Islam

The absolutely obligatory conditions of an Islamic marriage are:

1. The proposal by one party (groom or bride) and the acceptance of the other party (groom or bride).
2. The determination of ‘mehr’
3. The presence of (at least) two witnesses to the marriage contract.
4. The presence or consent of the ‘wali’ or guardian of the bride (her father, or grand-father, or uncle, or brother, or in their absence, the girl may choose any reliable and righteous member of the believing society to be her ‘wali’.)

If the above listed four absolutely obligatory conditions of ‘nikaah’ are fulfilled, regardless of who or where the marriage is conducted, the marriage will be considered absolutely valid and legal in the Sight of Shariah Law and of Allah Subhanah.

If one chooses to honor and fulfill the above obligatory conditions of ‘nikaah’ in the presence of a Judge in a Court of Law, there is absolutely no harm.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan