What should a couple do if they have been living together and want to get married under Islam?
Praise be to Allah عزّ وجلّ, peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammed صلَّى الله عليه وسل
When a Muslim or interfaith couple living together wants to get married in Islam, do they need to go through a waiting period or other procedure before they can get married in the religion?
Although it is not required, except in the Hanbali school, it is highly recommended that you begin by repenting of your sins before getting remarried in the religion (guide link to “repentance-tawba”).
- For the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools, there is no waiting period or obligatory repentance before you can get married.
- For the Maliki and Hanbali schools, before you can get married, you must observe a separation period (iddah), as is the case after divorce.
The waiting period is three whole menstrual cycles after the act of fornication. When the woman has had her third period after the act, her waiting period is over. If the woman is pregnant, she must wait until after she gives birth.
If the couple does not observe this waiting period, the marriage is null and void.
Remember that, in the Hanbali school, spouses cannot get remarried unless they sincerely repent first.
And Allah عزّ وجلّ knows best
