What breaks a nikah in Islam?

The ways a Nikah can be ended vary across different schools of Islamic thought and depend on what is written in your marriage contract. Some couples include specific conditions in the Nikah Nama, such as rights to initiate divorce or arrangements for mahr if the marriage ends. These terms are important to discuss openly before the ceremony.

For the legal marriage in the UK, ending it means going through divorce or annulment in the civil system. You cannot simply rely on a religious divorce to dissolve a marriage that was legally registered. If your marriage was only religious and not registered with the state, the civil divorce may not be needed, but you should still check the rules.

For couples who want both a religious and legal ending, it is best to plan ahead and speak with a qualified Islamic scholar and a solicitor. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK, the register office or your place of worship for the current position.