ROOTED IN TRADITION
READY FOR TOMORROW
Years
(1958 - 2023)
SYARIAH COURT
OF SINGAPORE
S YA R I A H C O U R T O F S I N G A P O R E
The word Syariah means the way to the watering place, or the righteous
path to follow. The Syariah, which is founded on the Quran and prophetic
traditions, represents the divine law that provides guidance on all areas of
Muslim believers’ lives. The main objective of the Syariah is to construct
human life on the basis of virtues and to cleanse it of vices. From the primary
sources of the Syariah, a codified rule of law, or hukum, developed over
centuries and continues to develop.
In Singapore, the Syariah legal system is applied to Muslim personal laws.
The Syariah Court, or Mahkamah Syar’iah, is the only institution administering
matters related to Muslim divorces and other matters arising from it. After
65 years, it still commits firmly to its Islamic traditions even as it strengthens
its capabilities to meet the future needs of the Muslim community.
V I S I O N
A reliable, dynamic and just court which inspires confidence
M I S S I O N
To save/salvage marriages
To settle divorces amicably
To deliver just outcomes
C O N T E N T S
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FOREWORD
I would first like to congratulate the Syariah Court of
Singapore for reaching this momentous milestone of
65 years of steadfast service to the Muslim community.
The Syariah Court was established in 1958, even before
Singapore became independent. Since then, it has
served as a key institution for the Muslim community in
Singapore. This book captures the Syariah Court’s rich
history, impressive achievements as well as the hard
work, contributions, and unwavering spirit of the people
behind it.
In its humble beginnings, the Syariah Court was led by
a single president supported by a small team. Today,
it is a dynamic judicial institution with four full-time
presidents led by a senior president, supported by two
registrars. The Court is further supported by mediators
and hakam who are empanelled by the Syariah Court.
Beyond this, community partners support the applicants
with the Marriage Counselling Programme (MCP) and
divorce support specialist agencies support Muslim
families through the divorce process.
The strides achieved by the Syariah Court are made
possible with the constant evolution of the legal and
religious landscape. The Administration of Muslim
Law Act has strengthened the Syariah Court’s ability
to deliver just outcomes and support Muslim families,
such as making it mandatory for parties to attend MCP
before they can file a divorce application. Recognising
the need to strengthen Muslim families, some of our
asatizah have undergone specialised training to perform
the role of hakam and resource persons for MCP.
The Syariah Court has played a key role in
strengthening Muslim families in Singapore, in close
partnership with the Ministry of Social and Family
Development, the Family Justice Courts, the M3
agencies (Muis, MENDAKI and PA MESRA) and other
community partners. Its efforts are well-recognised
by the Muslim community, as well as the family
development and legal fraternities in Singapore
and beyond.
The Syariah Court’s drive for service excellence
exemplifies the spirit of our Community of Success.
Its digital transformation will improve access to
justice and make the Court processes more convenient
and efficient for Court users and staff. It is also
incorporating social science to enhance child-centricity
in the divorce process through a Court Counselling
Framework and other initiatives.
These transformative steps are possible because of the
Syariah Court’s leadership and dedication of its staff
over the past 65 years. I am confident that the Syariah
Court will continue to strengthen its services and
team in order to further strengthen Muslim families
in Singapore.
I wish the Syariah Court my heartiest congratulations
on its 65th anniversary and every success in the
years ahead.
Assalamualaikum
Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
MR MASAGOS ZULKIFLI MASAGOS MOHAMAD
Minister for Social and Family Development
Second Minister for Health
Minister-In-Charge of Muslim Affairs
MESSAGE
My sincerest congratulations to Syariah Court on
the occasion of its 65th Anniversary.
The Syariah Court is an important institution in
the Muslim community. Its inception in 1958 was
a necessity to administer divorces so as to preserve
the sanctity of the marriage institution in Islam, and
to ensure that due rights are accorded to those who
need it. Since then, the Syariah Court continues
to play a key role in upholding the sacred union
between Muslim partners by providing services to
help save marriages, bring about peaceful resolution
and maintain strong parenting bonds even if some
marriages cannot be saved.
Our asatizah have played an important role in the
Syariah Court since its establishment. They have
actively served as counsellors and resource persons,
mediators, hakam and presidents, ensuring that the
Court functions in accordance with Muslim laws and
principles. In addition, the presidents of the Syariah
Court have also contributed to the growth and
development of Muslim jurisprudence by applying
and interpreting Muslim law in their judgments
and decisions. This is a body of knowledge that
continues to grow, and is a useful reference to
practitioners. It is very encouraging to see asatizah
working together with legal and public officers from
the various ministries to strengthen the Syariah
Court so that it continues to be an institution
trusted by the community to deliver justice.
The highly capable staff and leaders of the
Syariah Court have shared with me this important
aspiration. From the programmes, services and
upgrades that they have undertaken over recent
years, I am confident that they will advance further
in their tireless efforts to serve the needs of Muslim
families and adapt to the changing demands of
administering family law.
It behooves us to congratulate the Syariah Court
for their dedication in providing services to Muslim
families for the past 65 years. I hope that they
continue to serve Muslim families with strong
leadership, committed staff and strong partnership
with the religious, legal and social science fraternities.
All praises be to Allah Almighty,
the Compassionate and Merciful.
USTAZ DR NAZIRUDIN MOHD NASIR
Mufti, Republic of Singapore
اﻮُﻨُﻜْﺴَﺘِّﻟ ﺎًﺟاَوْزَأ ْﻢُﻜِﺴُﻔﻧَأ ْﻦِّﻣ ﻢُﻜَﻟ َﻖَﻠَﺧ ْنَأ ِﻪِﺗﺎَﻳآ ْﻦِﻣَو
ٍتﺎَﻳَﻵ َﻚِﻟ َذ ِﰲ َّنِإ ۚ ًﺔَﻤْﺣَرَو ًةَّدَﻮَّﻣ ﻢُﻜَﻨْﻴَﺑ َﻞَﻌَﺟَو ﺎَﻬْﻴَﻟِإ
َنوُﺮَّﻜَﻔَﺘَﻳ ٍمْﻮَﻘِّﻟ
FOUNDATION
And among His signs is this,
that He created for you mates from among yourselves,
that you may dwell in tranquility with them,
and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts);
verily in that are signs for those who reflect.
Al-Quran 30:21
اﻮُﻨُﻜْﺴَﺘِّﻟ ﺎًﺟاَوْزَأ ْﻢُﻜِﺴُﻔﻧَأ ْﻦِّﻣ ﻢُﻜَﻟ َﻖَﻠَﺧ ْنَأ ِﻪِﺗﺎَﻳآ ْﻦِﻣَو
ٍتﺎَﻳَﻵ َﻚِﻟٰ َذ ِﰲ َّنِإ ۚ ًﺔَﻤْﺣَرَو ًةَّدَﻮَّﻣ ﻢُﻜَﻨْﻴَﺑ َﻞَﻌَﺟَو ﺎَﻬْﻴَﻟِإ
َنوُﺮَّﻜَﻔَﺘَﻳ ٍمْﻮَﻘِّﻟ
The Syariah Court building at Pearl’s Hill Terrace between 1978 and 1987.
6 CHAPTER 1: FOUNDATION
1880
Mahomedan Marriage Ordinance 1880 is enacted as a separate Muslim legal jurisdiction
for marriage, divorce and other personal affairs
1908
Muhammadan Marriage Ordinance 1908 is passed, replacing the Mahomedan
Marriage Ordinance
1947
Muslim Advisory Board replaces Mohammedan Advisory Board
1951
Plans begin to form an Islamic court
1955
1957
1960
25 November 1958
17 August 1966
1 July 1968
Muslims Bill is introduced to the Singapore Legislative Assembly
Muslims Ordinance 1957 is passed, replacing the Muhammadan Marriage Ordinance
Four prominent Muslim groups call for the formation of a central Muslim body
Syariah Court is formed to settle matrimonial disputes in Muslim
marriages and provide recourse for women in the event of divorce
Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966 is passed, replacing the Muslims
Ordinance and providing a centralised administration covering all aspects
of Muslim life in Singapore
Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966 comes into force
MILESTONES
1915
Mohammedan Advisory Board is formed to represent the Muslim community