Can a Muslim revert woman in the UAE obtain a Sharia divorce and remarry?

Yes, you can get a divorce judgment in Sharjah and then marry again. But you must provide all documents from the Philippines, properly attested and stamped.

Dear Questioner,

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Thank you for reaching out to us, and congratulations on your reversion to Islam!

We acknowledge the challenges involved with the Philippine legal system in terms of marriage dissolution, and we are here to assist you with clarity under UAE law.

Please be advised of the following:

1. Filing for Divorce in the UAE:

As a Muslim residing in the UAE, you are permitted to file for divorce through the Personal Status Court (Sharia court).

The UAE recognizes the right of Muslims to initiate divorce under Islamic law, regardless of the civil limitations in their home country.

The court will assess the matter based on Sharia principles and the applicable provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law (Personal Status Law).

You may initiate the process through the Family Guidance Section, which will attempt reconciliation before formally forwarding the matter to the court. If reconciliation fails, the case will proceed to a final decision.

2. Chances of Divorce Being Granted:

If there is clear justification such as incompatibility, abandonment, harm, or religious grounds for the request, the UAE Sharia court is generally inclined to grant the divorce.

Since the Philippines does not provide for civil divorce, UAE courts may take this into account when assessing the legitimacy of your request.

3. Eligibility to Remarry in the Sharia Court:

Yes, once the divorce is legally finalized and your 'iddah period (waiting period, generally 3 menstrual cycles for women) is observed as per Sharia requirements, you will be legally permitted to remarry under Islamic law in the UAE.

Next Steps & Legal Support

If you would like to proceed, We can guide you through the following:

- Preparing and submitting the divorce request,

- Attending reconciliation sessions and court hearings on your behalf (if needed),

- Facilitating the issuance of the divorce certificate, and

- Advising on remarriage procedures as per UAE regulations.

Please feel free to schedule a consultation so we may discuss the details of your case more thoroughly.

With kind regards,

Mohammad Salah

Legal Consultant

Salam,

Yes, you can file a divorce case in the UAE under certain circumstances.

You may book a free 15-minute online consultation to understand the facts better and guide you properly.

Contact us via phone or email for further assistance.

Under UAE law, you can file for divorce in the Sharia Court in the UAE even if your marriage was solemnized in the Philippines.

Since you have reverted to Islam, you are eligible to file for divorce based on Islamic principles, and the Sharia Court has the jurisdiction to grant the divorce.

Once the divorce is granted, you can remarry after completing the waiting period (iddah) as per Sharia law.

Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Congratulations on your reversion to Islam, and I hope this message finds you well.

Regarding your situation, here is some guidance based on UAE law:

1. Jurisdiction for Divorce:

Since you are residing in the UAE, you can file for divorce in the UAE courts. The UAE Personal Status Law, which is based on Sharia principles, allows expatriates to file for divorce in the UAE. You can choose to apply the law of your home country or the UAE law for your divorce proceedings.

2. Filing for Divorce:

You can file for divorce through the Family Court in the UAE. The process typically begins with a reconciliation attempt through the Family Guidance Section. If reconciliation is not possible, the case will proceed to the court.

3. Chances of Divorce Being Granted:

The UAE courts generally respect the personal status laws of expatriates' home countries, but they also provide a legal framework for divorce under UAE law. Given that the Philippines does not have a divorce law, the UAE courts may be more inclined to apply UAE law to your case, which allows for divorce under certain conditions.

4. Remarriage in Sharia Court:

If your divorce is granted by the UAE courts, you will be legally recognized as divorced. This means you can remarry in the UAE, including in a Sharia court, provided you meet all other legal requirements for marriage.

Best regards,

Since you have reverted to Islam, you can file for divorce in the UAE through the Sharia Court, which has jurisdiction over Muslim residents and recognizes your Philippine civil marriage.

Divorce can be granted on various grounds such as mutual consent, harm, or neglect, and after the divorce and the required waiting period (Iddah), you are allowed to remarry in the Sharia Court.

However, because the Philippines does not recognize divorce, you may need to take additional legal steps there (such as annulment or recognition of a foreign divorce) for your new marriage to be legally recognized in the Philippines.

Waealaykum alsalam warahmat allah wabarakatuh,

Yes, if one of the parties is present and residing in the Emirates, you can file for divorce. After that, we provide proof that you have converted to Islam.

You can marry again according to Islamic Sharia law, and we can help you complete the divorce procedures.

For further discussion, please share your WhatsApp number.

Wa-alaikum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I understand you have embraced Islam and now wish to dissolve a civil marriage that was registered in the Philippines, a country that does not offer a straightforward divorce route.

The UAE’s Family Court can hear divorce petitions from residents whose marriages were celebrated abroad.

Because you are now Muslim, the court will handle the case under Islamic personal-status rules.

The procedure starts with a brief mediation session at the Family Guidance Department; if no agreement is reached, the file moves to a judge who can dissolve the marriage on accepted grounds such as harm, incompatibility, or through mutual agreement (khula if you initiate it).

Even without your spouse’s cooperation, a well-prepared case with supporting evidence can still result in a final decree.

In most instances, the process is completed within a few months, at far lower cost and delay than any Philippine annulment.

Once the judgment is issued, you receive a divorce certificate. After completing the brief waiting period required in Islamic law, you are free to remarry through the Sharia court, and your new marriage will be fully recognized both in the UAE and internationally.

I can handle every step, from drafting the Arabic filings to representing you in mediation and court, so the process is smooth and the outcome properly documented for use in both countries.

Let’s discuss your exact situation and timeline. Feel free to message or call me on WhatsApp at [-----------].

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Please find below our legal advice regarding your inquiry:

1. Can You File for Divorce in the UAE?

Yes, you may file for divorce before the UAE Personal Status Court, even if your marriage was registered civilly in the Philippines.

Since you have reverted to Islam, you are entitled to seek divorce under Sharia principles, especially if marital life has ceased or reconciliation is not possible.

2. What Are the Chances of Divorce Being Granted?

UAE family courts consider:

- Your new Islamic faith and its implications on marriage,

- The absence of divorce provisions in Philippine law,

- The breakdown of the marital relationship, and

- Lack of cohabitation or communication between the spouses.

In most cases, the court grants a divorce, especially when one party seeks it based on legitimate grounds and the other party does not contest.

3. Can You Remarry in the Sharia Court?

Yes. Once you obtain an official Sharia divorce judgment from the UAE courts, you will be able to remarry through the Sharia Court, after completing the required 'iddah' period (three menstrual cycles if not pregnant, or after childbirth if pregnant).

The divorce judgment is legally and religiously recognized in the UAE.

Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Thank you for reaching out!

Yes, as a Muslim residing in the UAE, you can file for divorce before the UAE Family Court under Sharia law, even if your marriage was registered in a non-Muslim country like the Philippines.

UAE courts recognize personal status matters for Muslims based on Sharia, regardless of the civil laws in your home country.

Your chances of obtaining a divorce depend on the circumstances, but in general, Sharia permits divorce, especially when reconciliation is not possible.

If the divorce is granted by the UAE court, you will be permitted to remarry under Sharia.

To proceed smoothly and ensure your rights are protected, we recommend booking a consultation or authorizing Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy to represent you through the legal process.

You may book an appointment via our website or contact us directly.