How to Have a Muslim Marriage in Canada (Montreal, Quebec)

Apr 8, 2013

Marriage in Islam is highly factorized in Islam and it complements the religion of both spouses.

And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect. Quran 30:21

both parties have to agree to marry one another and they can not be forced to marry one another . The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi was sallam) said, “A woman whom has been previously married has more right concerning herself than her guardian, and a virgin’s consent must be asked about herself…” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The man has permission to see her face before agreeing to marry as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi was sallam) said, “Go and look at her (the woman you are considering marrying) because this will help your time together to be strengthened. ” ( Ahmad )

After a man and woman have agreed to marry, they have to remember that the man is still not her mahram (men prohibited to her, including her father, brothers, sons, maternal and paternal uncles, and nephews). This means they can not still deal with one another as partners in any way (such as shaking hands, gazing at one another, being alone together, going out together, etc.), or go out with one another as we see people in the west doing. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi was sallam) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not have a private audience with a woman without her mahram. ” ( Ahmad )

If a Muslim is getting married in Canada, s/he may have:

1. a religious ceremony
2. a civil registration
3. Both.

We do not advise a religious marriage only because it has no legal foundation in Canada. Unless the marriage is registered with the Civil Register of Quebec, it has no effect. Also, some people might abuse this concept for various reasons.

We do not advise a civil registration only as well because it does not give the spouses enough insights about the Islamic settings of a marriage and will not give them heads up about the virtues of building an Islamic family.

The best option is to have an Islamic marriage with a register “Minister of Religion” then register this marriage contract (ASAP) with the government of Quebec. If you are planning to get engaged, ask the officiant about the various details of Islamic marriage and make make sure the marriage contract will be legally recognized in Quebec and will be registered by the officer himself. Proxy registration is not reliable. Ask the officer if he has the Quebec license under his name.

Requirements

1. Birth certificates or passports for both spouses
2. Proof of residency for non-citizens
3. Proof of divorce (for previously married people)
4. Proof of address
5. In some cases, written consent, SIN or other supporting documents

Instructions

1. Make the intention that you are marrying for the sake of Allah and to build an Islamic pious family.
2. Read about families duties and rights. Both spouses have rights and obligations under the Islamic rules of Marriage. The Marriage Act in Quebec (or in your province) has its own requirements that should be met also.
3. Avoid mixing marriage and immigration issues. False marriages are not acceptable in Islam and will have terrible consequences on the incumbent family.
4. Both spouses (or their parents) need to agree on the dowry, dwellings, and timeline of ceremonies. KEEP IT SIMPLE
5. The bridegroom need to offer a gift to his bride. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to a man, “Marry, even with (a Mahr equal to) an iron ring.” (Bukhari 7-62-80)
6. Find an authorized officer at a nearby masjid (Masjid As-Salam offers marriage registration service. Contact us at info@salam-mosque.org for further information). If you are away of the masjid, we can refer you to a center close to you. A good way to find Muslim officiants is to contact mosques around where you will have your ceremony.
7. an Islamic marriage is concluded without specification of mazhab (Islamic legal school). Marriage officiant mike like to add their mazhab but avoid the specification of the mazhab to avoid complications in the future.
8. Ask the marriage officiant to apply for a marriage license for you and your spouse. The marriage license is given by the provincial government in which your getting married.
9. Both the bride and the groom are asked to give their verbal agreement to the marriage in front of the Wali (usually the father of the bride) and two other witnesses.
10. The marriage officiant shall give a short sermon advising the new couple and wishing them prosperous life.
11. Once the marriage is declared, the bride and the groom are declared official spouses.
12. The officiant will send the marriage certificate application to the provincial government to register the marriage and you will get the official Marriage Certificate in about 2-5 weeks.

This article did not cover all the aspects of marriage, but it is hoped it was beneficial. Anything good in this article is from Allah and anything incorrect is from myself.

Please let us know if this is helpful or how to improve it.