Registering the marriage contract

Q 3: An engaged Muslim couple are required by the law to go to the registry office for marriages before the marriage with witnesses to perform the offer and acceptance (the marriage agreement). Is this marriage considered Shar‘y (Islamically lawful)? If not, do a Muslim couple have to legally register their marriage before concluding the marriage contract? It should be borne in mind that the registration is beneficial for both the husband and wife if there is a dispute.

A: If the offer and acceptance are expressed, all the other marriage conditions are fulfilled, and there is no impediment, the marriage will be valid. If the legal registration of the marriage is in the interest of preserving each party’s present and future rights under the Shari‘ah, it is obligatory to register it. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.