What is the difference between an 'urfi (customary) marriage and a shar'i (Islamic legal) marriage, is the difference between them in public knowledge versus secrecy, and are both permissible or forbidden?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
An 'urfi' marriage can be legitimate if it fulfills the conditions and pillars of a valid marriage, even if it is not officially documented. It can be null and void if it is performed without a guardian (wali) or witnesses. If the conditions for validity are met, it is not considered a secret marriage by the majority of jurists, and its declaration is recommended. However, the Malikis consider it a secret marriage if the husband instructs the witnesses to conceal it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/179895
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 179895
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy