Fatwa ID: 04445

Answered by: Maulana Tammim Tharik Mohamadou

Question:

Some Masājid ask for a fee to issue a Nikah certificate/services. Who is responsible to pay for the cost of the certificate/services? The bride or the groom?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In a Nikaḥ, the only expense which defined by the Shariʿah shall be mandatory is the mahr (dowry).[1] Afterward, the husband is entitled to maintain his wife and comply with his duty.

Apart from that, there are no other expenses mentioned by Shariʿah which is specific to Nikaḥ. Even the walimah (Nikah banquet) is sunnah.[2]

Therefore, any other expenses could be paid either by the groom or the bride or shared between both. We strongly advise that all these topics should clearly be discussed ahead of Nikaḥ so that a peaceful and joyful Nikaḥ ceremony will be celebrated in shā Allah.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Tammim Tharik Mohamadou

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

References