Clear legal guidance
for Muslim families.
Haq is SKB Law’s specialist service for Muslim clients and families whose situations involve Nikah, Khula, Mahr, religious marriage, or separation. We advise on matters under English law, including for clients living overseas where UK marriage, assets, or legal rights are involved.
Legal advice that understands
your context
Clients come to Haq because they want family law advice that is clear, respectful, and culturally aware — especially where faith, community, or wider family dynamics are part of the picture.
Many clients come to us unsure whether they are legally married, what their rights are, or what the right next step is. That is exactly what Haq is designed for — to give you a clear picture of where you stand, without judgement.
Languages: English · Urdu · Punjabi- Legal advice that understands faith and culture
- Clear explanations in plain English (or Urdu / Punjabi)
- Structured guidance without judgement
- Advice on both religious and civil legal routes
- Support for clients based in the UK and overseas
- Vetted Shariah Council partners for Khula applications
Is your Nikah legally recognised?
Whether your Nikah is legally recognised in England & Wales depends on how and where it took place. This affects your rights — and what you need to do next.
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Legally registered Nikah
If your Nikah was legally registered in England & Wales, or took place abroad and is recognised under English law, you are legally married. You will need a civil divorce to end the marriage — even if a religious divorce has also taken place. Without a civil divorce, you remain legally married, which affects your financial rights, inheritance, and ability to remarry.
Status: Legally married Civil divorce required -
Religious-only Nikah (England & Wales)
If your Nikah took place in England & Wales but was not legally registered (for example, in a wedding hall or private setting), it may not be legally recognised. This means you are not legally married under English law — but you may still have rights in relation to children, property, and finances that need to be addressed.
Status: Not legally married No civil divorce needed — but other legal routes may apply -
Nikah abroad
If your Nikah took place abroad, whether it is legally recognised in England & Wales depends on the law of the country where it took place and whether the correct legal process was followed. We can advise on your specific situation.
Status: Depends on jurisdiction Legal advice required to confirm position
Three pathways
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01
Seeking Islamic Divorce (Khula)
If you are seeking Khula, Haq offers a fixed-fee, solicitor-led Khula service — structured support through the process, from application to outcome.
Service Includes
- Structured legal support with the Khula process
- Drafting and progressing the application
- Liaison with a vetted Shariah Council
- Clear guidance at every stage
- Advice on any civil divorce requirements
Cost
£650 + VAT (legal fee) + £250 (Shariah Council fee)
Payment plans available. This is the right route if you are certain you want religious divorce.
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02
Unsure About Nikah, Property, Mahr or Finances?
If your marriage was Nikah-only, or you are unsure about property rights, mahr, shared homes, or financial protection under English law, the right starting point is a Haq Consultation.
Service Includes
- 1-hour solicitor-led consultation
- Explanation of how English law views your situation
- Clarification of how religious arrangements interact with legal rights
- Advice on property and financial options
- Clear next steps — no obligation to proceed
Cost
£250 + VAT
This is the right route if you need clarity before deciding what to do.
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03
Getting Married or Planning Ahead?
If you are preparing for marriage — including a Nikah with or without a civil ceremony — Haq also supports preventative legal planning through our Legacy service.
Service Includes
- Nikah Nama guidance and review
- Pre- or post-nuptial agreements
- Declarations of trust for shared property
- Wills and estate planning
Cost
Varies by scope
This is the right route if you want to plan ahead, not react later.
Common questions
Do I need my husband’s permission for Khula?
No. A wife can apply for Khula without her husband’s consent. The Shariah Council will engage with him as part of the process, but his agreement is not required for the Khula to proceed. We’ll explain what to expect at each stage.
Is a Nikah recognised as a legal marriage in England & Wales?
Only where it has also been legally registered in line with the Marriage Act — or where it took place abroad and is recognised under English law. A Nikah held only in a private venue without civil registration is generally not a legal marriage in England & Wales.
What is Mahr?
Mahr is the agreed gift or sum payable from husband to wife under Islamic law, recorded at the time of Nikah. Whether it is enforceable in English law depends on how it was documented and the wider circumstances. We can advise on recovering or formalising it.
What if I shared a home but wasn’t legally married?
Even without a legal marriage, you may have rights relating to property, contributions, children, and ongoing support. We’ll review the practical and legal position — including TOLATA claims, Schedule 1 applications for children, and trust-based remedies.
Is Islamic divorce the same as legal divorce?
No. A Khula or Talaq ends a marriage religiously. If you are also legally married under English law, you will still need a civil divorce to end the marriage in the eyes of the state — otherwise you remain legally married, with all the legal consequences that brings.
Can I get advice if I live overseas?
Yes. Many of our Haq clients are based outside the UK but have UK marriage, assets, or family ties. We work remotely with clients across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South Asia.
What languages do you advise in?
Advice is given in plain English, with discussions available in Urdu and Punjabi if helpful. Documents and formal correspondence are prepared in English, since that is the language of UK courts and Shariah Councils we work with.
What is a Shariah Council?
A Shariah Council is a religious body that handles Islamic family matters such as Khula. They have no civil legal authority in England & Wales but are recognised within Muslim communities as the route for religious divorce. We work with vetted, established councils.
Get clarity in one hour.
A Strategy Session with SKB Law is a focused, solicitor-led meeting. You’ll leave with a clear picture of where you stand, your options, and a written action plan.