Muslim Marriage Courses Surge in Britain Amid Rising Divorce Concerns
Muslim marriage training courses are growing in popularity across Britain. At least 16 organisations have offered workshops or programmes in the past year alone. These courses aim to prepare couples for the challenges of marriage before their Islamic wedding, or nikkah. The Muslim Family Foundation (MFF) runs a one-day workshop designed to build emotional intelligence and a deeper understanding of marriage. Their sessions cover expectations, communication, and the rights of both partners under Islamic law. However, the National Secular Society filed a complaint against MFF in February 2025, alleging that some of its social media posts promoted the subordination of women.
In West Yorkshire, marriage counsellor Khalid Hussain offers one-to-one pre-nikkah courses. He stresses that Islam does not require wives to give up their careers after marriage. Meanwhile, Sakoon, a London-based group, provides a six-week programme focusing on conflict resolution and healthier communication between partners.
Legal specialist Aina Khan, who works in Islamic family law, reports a steady stream of Muslim couples seeking divorces at her City of London firm. While official records do not track the religion of divorcing couples, clerics and counsellors suggest that many Muslim marriages end within two years. Aleena, a participant from Bradford, completed a 10-week course and credited it with improving her relationship.
The rise in divorce rates has raised concerns, even though pre-marital education has been mandatory in countries like Malaysia since 1996. Some experts also point to the influence of the ‘Muslim manosphere’—a group of rightwing, anti-feminist online influencers—who may be shaping negative attitudes towards marriage among young Muslims. With more organisations offering marriage preparation, the demand for such courses appears to be growing. Clerics and legal professionals continue to observe high divorce rates, particularly in the early years of marriage. The impact of these training programmes on long-term marital success remains to be seen.
