Marriage/Nikah

Islamic Marriage (Nikah)

Information

A 'Nikah' or a marriage contract according to Islamic (Shariah) Law may be performed at Masjid Abu Bakar. The Nikah ceremony will be performed by our Imam (Muslim Minister) of the NWKMA and Masjid Abu Bakar.

The Nikah ceremony will normally take place in a hall within the Masjid. It can accommodate guests. It will be helpful when booking a date for the Nikah ceremony, to specify the number of guests attending the ceremony. All persons attending the ceremony are kindly requested to observe the Islamic tradition of dressing in keeping with Islamic values.

The Fee for the Nikah Service is approx. £200-£300.

Please contact the imam for further advice and guidance.

Bookings can be made by downloading and completing the the application form and handing it in at the Mosque.

Civil Marriage Procedure

Masjid Abu Bakar is pleased to offer legally recognised Civil Marriage ceremonies in addition to the Islamic Nikah. Couples wishing to have both ceremonies conducted at the Mosque must first complete the legal requirements set by the relevant Register Office.

Before a Civil Marriage can take place, it is a legal requirement for both parties to give notice of their intention to marry at their local Register Office. For ceremonies taking place at Masjid Abu Bakar, the designated Register Office is the Bexley Register Office, Danson House, Bexleyheath

Further information regarding the legal requirements for marriage can be found at:

Giving your notice of marriage | London Borough of Bexley

Official Kent County Council ceremonies website

Please note that if you wish to have a Civil Marriage in addition to your Islamic Nikah, you must contact your local Register Office and give notice of marriage at least 28 days before the proposed ceremony date. Once notice has been given and all legal requirements have been satisfied, you will be issued with a Marriage Schedule, which must be presented on the day of the ceremony. We strongly recommend that you take the required notice period and processing times into account before confirming your preferred ceremony date.

Please note that Civil Marriages are only conducted at Masjid Abu Bakar and must take place alongside an Islamic Nikah ceremony. Civil Marriages cannot be conducted at external venues under the Mosque's authorisation.

Procedure for Booking a Civil Marriage

  1. Complete a Civil Marriage Booking Form

Download and complete the Civil Marriage Booking Form and submit it to the Mosque in person. Applications should be submitted as early as possible and ideally at least 60 days before the proposed ceremony date.

  1. Confirm Availability with the Mosque

Once the Mosque has confirmed venue availability and discussed the proposed arrangements with you, you should proceed with the legal notice requirements through the Register Office.

  1. Give Notice of Marriage

Contact the Bexley Register Office to give notice of marriage:

Email: registerofficebexley@kent.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 411103

Notice must be given at least 28 days before the proposed ceremony date. Please note that notice must be given at the Register Office covering the district in which at least one of the parties resides.

  1. Attend the Ceremony

On the day of the ceremony, you must bring the Marriage Schedule issued by the Register Office. The Civil Marriage will be conducted in accordance with the legal requirements applicable to authorised marriage premises, alongside the Islamic Nikah ceremony. All necessary documentation will be completed and signed during the ceremony.

  1. Registration of the Marriage

Following the ceremony, the completed marriage documentation will be submitted in accordance with the prescribed registration procedures, enabling the marriage to be officially registered.

  1. Obtain Your Marriage Certificate

Once the marriage has been formally registered, you may apply to the Register Office for your official Civil Marriage Certificate.

Important Information

  • Civil Marriages are available only when combined with an Islamic Nikah ceremony at Masjid Abu Bakar.
  • Civil Marriages cannot be conducted at external venues under the Mosque's authorisation.
  • Both parties must comply with all legal requirements imposed by the Register Office before a Civil Marriage can take place.
  • The Marriage Schedule issued by the Register Office must be presented on the day of the ceremony.
  • Separate fees may be payable to both the Register Office and the Mosque for the services provided.

We recommend contacting the Mosque at the earliest opportunity to discuss your requirements and secure your preferred ceremony date.