What is Katbul Kitab?


Hanafi Fiqh

Answered by Shaykh Ilyas Patel

Question: How does katbul kitab work? 

Answer: Wassalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Katbul -kitab is a name for a legal written marriage contract ceremony which is done in the Levant. Legal documents are filled out and signed by everyone involved. If two witnesses are present and an offer by the bride through an agent and acceptance is made by the husband is done then the nikah will be valid and take place.

As for this new cultural phenomenon of celibate marriage in which the nikah is performed only, then both husband and wife live apart and delay it till a few months or year or so. This is something that both the intending parties have to consider by consulting the families and local scholars.

And Allah alone knows,
Wassalam,
Ilyas