Under Islamic family law a marriage can be valid if the essential requirements, such as offer and acceptance in the presence of witnesses and the absence of legal prohibitions, are met. Registration under the 1974 Act is compulsory, and failure to register is an offence, but the absence of registration does not by itself invalidate the marriage. Proving an unregistered marriage, however, can be difficult, and problems arise with dower claims, inheritance, children's documents and immigration. We advise on late registration and on proving a marriage where records are missing or incomplete. Keep the nikahnama and witness details safe.

Dower is a right of the wife and a debt owed by the husband. Prompt dower is payable on demand, while deferred dower becomes payable on divorce or the husband's death, and in practice many wives claim the full amount when the marriage ends. Claims are brought in the Family Court, which can pass a decree that is then executed against the husband's property. Where the husband has died, unpaid dower is a debt on his estate payable before distribution to heirs. We advise on evidence of the amount agreed, partial payments and limitation. Keep the nikahnama and any receipts.

No. Under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, a husband must apply in writing to the chairman of the local authority for permission, stating his reasons and whether the existing wife consents, and an Arbitration Council considers whether the proposed marriage is necessary and just. Marrying without permission is a criminal offence, makes the whole dower of the existing wife immediately payable, and gives her a ground for dissolution. We advise existing wives on their remedies and husbands on the legal process, and we represent either side before the Arbitration Council and the courts.

Talaq-e-tafweez is a delegated right of divorce given by the husband to the wife, usually recorded in the relevant column of the kabinnama. If it has been granted, the wife can divorce her husband by exercising the delegated right and giving written notice to the local authority, following the same procedure as a talaq under the 1961 Ordinance. Without it, she must use khula by agreement or apply to the Family Court for dissolution. We review the kabinnama wording carefully, because the scope of the delegated right and any conditions attached to it determine how it can be used.

Classical Hanafi rules give the mother custody, or hizanat, of a son until about the age of seven and a daughter until puberty, while the father is the natural guardian of the child's person and property. Bangladeshi courts treat these age limits as guidance rather than absolute rules and decide according to the welfare of the child, considering the child's age, health, education, emotional ties and wishes. A mother's remarriage or a parent's move abroad can affect custody. We present evidence focused on welfare, which is what ultimately persuades the Family Court. School and medical records often matter.

Islamic family law fixes shares for Quranic heirs such as spouses, parents and daughters, and gives the residue to residuary heirs, typically sons and other male relatives, with a son generally receiving twice the share of a daughter. Funeral costs, debts and unpaid dower are paid first, and a will can dispose of no more than one third of the estate to non-heirs without the heirs' consent. The 1961 Ordinance allows the children of a predeceased son or daughter to take their parent's share. We prepare calculations and resolve disagreements among heirs before property is transferred.

A valid hiba requires a declaration of gift, acceptance by the recipient and delivery of possession, and for land and other immovable property the transfer generally needs to be registered. Heirs sometimes challenge gifts made shortly before death, alleging lack of capacity, undue influence, failure to deliver possession or that the gift was really a disguised will. Well-documented gifts are much harder to challenge. We advise donors on making secure gifts and act for heirs or recipients in disputes over hiba transactions, including deed cancellation suits. Islamic family law requires delivery of possession.

For Bangladeshi Muslims abroad, the answer depends on the issue and the forum. A foreign court will usually apply its own law to divorce, children and property within its jurisdiction, while Bangladeshi authorities will apply Muslim personal law to marriages, divorces and succession connected with Bangladesh, including land here. Conflicts between the two are common, for example where a foreign civil divorce is not reflected in Bangladesh or an estate includes property in both countries. We coordinate with lawyers in the UK, US, UAE and elsewhere to produce consistent results. Islamic family law rarely stops at borders.