Title: Nikah Over Court Marriage Question: My friend lived in Germany and was married some years ago with a German girl and they were married according to the German law( paper marriage). Now the girl has accepted Islam and they have nikah . My question is this nikah is right, while they are already married according to German law? Answer: A marriage conducted under the law of a state is a valid marriage contract for Muslims. I would doubt that a legal marriage contract in any country in the world would have regulations that would contradict the Nikah (i.e. marriage contract). Thus any of these would fulfill obligations required by Islam. Finally, the couple did not need to formulate a new Nikah agreement. Nevertheless, there was no harm in them doing it again, it's just not required since one was already committed to. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan January 27, 2004