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المجلس الإسلامي الشرعي بدونكاستر

07425 265164
Islamic Shariah Councilof Doncaster

خِدْمَاتُ الْمَجْلِس

Services & Fatwa

What the Council can help you with

Every service follows a written procedure. You will always know what documents are needed, what happens next and, once your application is accepted, what the fee will be.

النكاح

Nikah (Marriage)

Solemnising Islamic marriage contracts with full consent, proper witnesses and clear documentation.

Nikah is a sacred contract described in the Qur’an as a solemn covenant. It creates rights and responsibilities for both spouses, and the Council takes care that every marriage it conducts meets the conditions of Islamic law.

The Council conducts Nikah ceremonies at its offices and, by arrangement, at mosques, homes and venues in Doncaster and the surrounding area. Couples are encouraged to also register their marriage under English civil law and the Council will explain why this matters.

What you will need

  • Both parties of legal age, of sound mind and Muslim
  • Free and full consent of both bride and groom
  • Consent of the bride’s wali (guardian) or the Council’s guidance where no wali is available
  • Two adult Muslim witnesses
  • Agreed mahr (dower) recorded in the contract
  • Photographic ID for both parties
Enquire about Nikah →
الطلاق

Talaq (Divorce)

Guidance and certification for divorce initiated by the husband, after every effort at reconciliation.

Talaq is a serious matter and should only be pronounced as a last resort once reconciliation has genuinely been attempted. The Council will always explore mediation first and will advise on the correct Islamic procedure, the waiting period ('iddah) and the rights of both parties.

Where a Talaq has been validly issued, the Council records it, confirms the position of both spouses and issues a certificate of Islamic divorce.

What you will need

  • Completed application form
  • Copy of the Nikah certificate
  • Proof of identity and address
  • Contact details for the other party
Enquire about Talaq →
الخلع

Khula (Wife-initiated Divorce)

A fair, confidential process for women seeking to end a marriage where the husband will not issue Talaq.

Khula is the dissolution of a marriage at the request of the wife. The Council hears the application, contacts the husband, and attempts reconciliation through mediation. If reconciliation is not possible, the Council may dissolve the marriage in accordance with the Shariah.

Applications are handled with sensitivity and confidentiality. Cases involving safeguarding concerns or domestic abuse are prioritised and the Council will signpost applicants to appropriate support services.

What you will need

  • Completed application form and declaration
  • Copy of the Nikah certificate, or a declaration if unavailable
  • Proof of identity and address
  • Details of any civil divorce proceedings
Enquire about Khula →
الفسخ

Faskh (Annulment)

Judicial dissolution of a marriage where a valid Islamic ground exists and the husband is absent or unwilling.

Faskh is the annulment of a marriage by a panel of scholars on recognised grounds such as desertion, failure to maintain, harm or a defect in the contract. It differs from Khula in that the wife is not required to return the mahr.

The panel examines the evidence, hears both parties wherever possible, and issues a reasoned written decision.

What you will need

  • Completed application form
  • Evidence supporting the grounds relied upon
  • Copy of the Nikah certificate
  • Proof of identity and address
Enquire about Faskh →
الميراث

Inheritance & Wills

Calculating Islamic shares of inheritance and guiding families in preparing a Shariah-compliant will.

The Council prepares written inheritance calculations according to the Qur’anic rules of mirath, setting out the share due to each heir. This can be used alongside a solicitor to prepare a will that is valid under English law and faithful to the Shariah.

We also advise on bequests (wasiyyah), the treatment of debts and funeral expenses, and disputes between heirs.

What you will need

  • Family tree showing all surviving relatives
  • Details of the estate where a calculation is needed
  • Copy of any existing will
Enquire about Inheritance & Wills →
الفتوى

Fatwa & Consultation

Written religious rulings and confidential consultation on personal, family, financial and community questions.

Members of the community, mosques and organisations may submit questions to the Council. Each question is considered by qualified scholars with reference to the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the recognised schools of jurisprudence, and a written answer is provided.

The Council also offers mediation and reconciliation sessions for couples and families, and expert opinion reports for solicitors and public bodies where an Islamic perspective is required.

What you will need

  • A clear written question with relevant background
  • Your name and contact details (published fatwas are anonymised)
Enquire about Fatwa & Consultation →

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Application process

Five steps, clearly explained

The same process applies to every application, so you know what to expect from the start.

  1. 01

    Initial enquiry

    Contact the Council by telephone, email or the contact form. We will explain the process, the documents needed and whether the matter falls within our remit.

  2. 02

    Application & documents

    Complete the relevant application form and provide copies of the supporting documents. Applications are acknowledged in writing.

  3. 03

    Assessment

    The application is reviewed by the Council’s scholars. Any fee is confirmed only once the application has been accepted.

  4. 04

    Consultation & mediation

    Both parties are invited to meet the Council. In family matters, reconciliation is always explored before any decision is made.

  5. 05

    Decision & certificate

    The Council issues its written decision, ruling or certificate. Case files are stored securely and confidentially.

Fees

Fees reflect the administrative work and scholarly time each matter needs and are set out in the application pack. No fee is payable until the Council has accepted your application and confirmed the amount in writing. Please do not send any payment before that point.

Requesting an application pack

Application forms and procedures are supplied on request. Call 07425 265164, email info@islamicshariahcouncilofdoncaster.org.uk or use the contact form, stating which service you require.

Start an enquiry

Frequently asked

Questions we are often asked

Is the Council a court of law?

No. The Council is a religious body offering Islamic guidance and dispute resolution. Its decisions are not a substitute for the courts of England and Wales, and matters outside its remit are referred to the appropriate legal channels.

Do I still need a civil divorce?

If your marriage was registered under civil law, or took place overseas and is recognised here, you will need a civil divorce in addition to an Islamic one. A civil divorce does not automatically end a Nikah, and an Islamic divorce does not end a civil marriage.

How long does a Khula or Faskh case take?

It depends on how quickly both parties respond and whether reconciliation is attempted. There is no fast-track service, and no outcome is guaranteed before the application has been heard.

What if I have lost my Nikah certificate?

Ask the mosque or Imam who conducted the marriage for a duplicate. If that is not possible, the Council can provide a declaration form for you to complete.

Are fees payable up front?

No fee is payable until the Council has accepted your application and confirmed the amount in writing. Please do not make any payment before that point.

Is my case confidential?

Yes. Files are handled only by the Council’s scholars and staff and are retained securely for a limited period before being safely destroyed.