Registering Civil Marriages in Non-Muslim Countries

Question: In non-Muslim countries (such as the UK, USA, and Australia), civil (legal) marriage is not required for a Muslim marriage to be valid Islamically. However, many Muslims still choose to register their marriages with the state. This raises concerns, because doing so may result in: - Submitting marital disputes (divorce, custody, wealth) to non-Islamic courts - Legal rulings that contradict the Sharīʿah (e.g., division of wealth, alimony, custody decisions) - The possibility that one spouse uses the legal system to gain unjust advantage - Inheritance being distributed according to state law instead of Islamic law What is the ruling on voluntarily entering into a civil marriage in such countries, knowing that it may lead to being governed by laws that contradict the Sharīʿah? Does this fall under impermissibly seeking judgment by other than what Allāh has revealed, or is it permissible due to necessity or context? Shaykh Fatḥ Al-Qadasi hafidhahullah What I hold regarding this issue is that one should not proceed to obtain a civil marriage under the law of the country in which he resides so long as he is not compelled to do so. As long as he is not compelled, there is no need for this civil registration; the Sharʿī (Islamic) marriage contract is sufficient. Yes, if the matter reaches a state of necessity, then that is a different case. Or if there is a strong need such that one would suffer significant harm either personally or affecting his children by leaving it, then that is another matter. However, if the situation is one of ease, without any real or considerable need, then we advise against it. Source: https://t.me/Menzbenefits/337 https://t.me/EngFatawaboxes_9_9_9_Bot