The new Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 replaces Federal Law No. 28 of 2005 governing the personal status matters of Muslims (both UAE citizens and residents). The new law will come into effect on April 14, 2025.
Note: personal status issues of non-Muslims (both of citizens and residents) are regulated by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status. You can find out more about this law for non-Muslims and its provisions in our overview.
In the new Personal Status law for Muslims, some issues have been addressed for the first time.
- Permission for marriage: in accordance with the new law, if a guardian unjustly refuses to grant permission to marry, the court may intervene to transfer guardianship. Additionally, the new law eliminates the requirement for a guardian’s consent when a non-citizen Muslim woman’s national law does not mandate it for concluding a marriage contract.
- Recovering of tangible assets: the new law also specifies the provisions related to recovering gifts and dowry in cases where an engagement is called off. The law sets the types of gifts that may be reclaimed, including high-value gifts worth more than ...