Is a civil contract concluded at the municipality—which includes all pillars except the صيغة (formal declaration of marriage) and for which going to the municipality is considered its صيغة—a religiously valid contract that permits the seclusion of the spouses, and does it suffice in place of a religious contract?

The pillars of marriage (nikah (definition)) are outlined in Fatwa (definition) no. 33643. So, when the guardian says, "I give you my daughter [her name] in marriage," and the man says, "I accept the marriage of your daughter [her name]," in the presence of two upright witnesses, then the marriage is concluded. The presence of a sheikh or a judge to dictate the words is not a condition. The ruling does not differ whether the contract takes place at home, in court, or at the municipality. The formula (offer and acceptance) is essential, and merely signing papers or simply going to the municipality or court is not sufficient. It is permissible for the man to be in seclusion with the woman after the lawful marriage contract, once its conditions and pillars are fulfilled.