Is Government Approval Necessary for Nikah and Divorce?
Taken from: Fatāwā Amanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri
❖ Question:
Is the approval of the ruler (government authority) necessary for Nikah and divorce?
❖ Answer:
In the sight of Shari‘ah, Nikah and divorce do not require the approval of the ruler or government authority; both are valid without it. However, in compliance with state laws, Nikah and divorce should be officially registered in government records.
◈ Scholarly Consensus
❀ Hafiz Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr رحمه الله (463H) stated:
قد أجمعوا أن النكاح والطلاق يجوز دون السلطان
The scholars have consensus that Nikah and divorce are valid even without the ruler’s approval.
(al-Istidhkar, 6/85)
