If a Muslim couple wish to rely on a pre-nuptial agreement validly drafted in another jurisdiction, it is likely that the UAE courts would not choose to enforce the terms especially in relation to children. Read article written by Mr.Hassan Elhais to know more about. Source - http://professionallawyer.me/legal-articles/family-law/Validity-of-Pre-and-Post%3A-Nuptial-Agreements

1. Validity of Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements: Mr. Hassan Elhais
Muslim couples (Emirati and expatriate) enter into a marriage contract (Nikah’) if they
conduct an Islamic marriage in a Muslim jurisdiction or elsewhere.
To what extent are pre and post nups binding within the jurisdiction?
Muslim couples (Emirati and expatriate) enter into a marriage contract (Nikah’) if they
conduct an Islamic marriage in a Muslim jurisdiction or elsewhere. Within the marriage
contract is a section which allows for a dowry (‘Meher’) to be specified. The dowry is the
payment of a sum of money/ valuables to the wife, paid partly on marriage (the
Mokadam) and partly in the event of divorce/ husband’s death. The dowry must be
present in the contract to ensure its legal validity. The marriage contract has been
compared to a pre nuptial agreement because of the dowry, but it is far from this. There
are restrictions as to what can be included within the marriage contract, those that are
contrary to public order or Islamic Shari’a will not be included.
Some wives may use the Dowry term to give them a bargaining position, and agree to
receive a lesser dowry on alternative terms to their benefit. The marriage contract is
negotiated and agreed by the husband and the wife’s father or other male guardian,
often with the benefit of legal advice (although this is not required).
If a Muslim couple wish to rely on a pre-nuptial agreement validly drafted in another
jurisdiction, it is likely that the UAE courts would not choose to enforce the terms
especially in relation to children. This is because under Sharia law a couple could not
enter into an agreement concerning children that have not yet been born.
The contract will be void or voidable if any term in the agreement conflicts with Islamic
Shari’a, public order or morals in the UAE (Article 27 Civil Procedure Law). Public order
is defined at Article 3 Civil Procedure as ‘matters relating to personal status’. This means
that any terms in the contract that are against or conflicting with UAE morals (for
example reference to unmarried cohabiting couples) would be void.
About Author: Mr. Hassan Elhais is one of the renown Legal Consultants in Dubai.
Mr. Hassan Elhais has been practicing as a Professional Legal Advisor and
Family lawyer since 2005 in Dubai, UAE.
Resource:http://professionallawyer.me/legal-articles/family-law/Validity-of-Pre-and-Post
%3A-Nuptial-Agreements