In Islam, marriage is a sacred contract that is taken very seriously. It establishes lawful relations between a husband and wife and comes with specific rights and responsibilities.
The purpose of marriage is to create a stable family unit, not to achieve worldly gains.
However, some people misuse this contract by entering into sham marriages, often referred to as “paper marriages,” to obtain certain benefits, such as residency or legal status in another country.
Is Sham Marriage (Paper Marriage) Haram or Halal?
Paper marriages are Haram.
Islam does not allow the concept of sham marriages because they go against the very purpose of marriage in Islamic law. These marriages are considered a form of deception and misuse of religious contracts.
Evidence
- The Quran and Hadith emphasize the importance of fulfilling the obligations that come with marriage, including mutual respect, financial responsibilities, and the raising of children.
- Deceiving governments or other authorities by pretending to be married for legal gains involves lying, which is prohibited in Islam.
- Islamic scholars like Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah have made it clear that using religious contracts like marriage and divorce for personal gain is forbidden.
Sham marriages, or paper marriages, are forbidden in Islam. They involve deception, undermine the sacredness of the marriage contract, and are often done for forbidden purposes like gaining residency or financial benefits.
Marriage in Islam should be entered into with sincerity, fulfilling the obligations set by Shari’ah.
Bottom Line
A paper or sham marriage, where the couple does not intend to live as husband and wife but only seeks legal or financial advantages, undermines the sanctity of this contract.
Such marriages are considered invalid because the true intent of the marriage is absent. Additionally, entering into a marriage under false pretenses involves lying and deception, both of which are sins in Islam.
Got a question? Feel free to ask mufti and get quick answers.
MORE:
Support independent Islamic website.
Support our mission to spread Islamic knowledge. Your donation helps our volunteer writers and infrastructure. Contribute now.
