Cougars - not the four legged type

You have done all you can franbern, your friend seems determined so if she continues with this despite your efforts, it will not be because she didn’t know the possible consequences.

Let her get on with it. You are pointing out all the pitfalls.
Just make sure you are there to pick up the pieces if it goes wrong and don't say "I told you so".

Obviously how you spend your time and energy is your own business but I'd advise you not to become over-invested in this woman's future, particularly as you've only known her a short time. She's already sapped the energy and patience of her son and other friends.

After you've pointed out that her Sharia-law marriage could be valid and have legal consequences I'm afraid I'd leave her to it.

Franbern

It is (I now believe), with whether or not she is 'married' to him under Sharia law

Does she has an Egyptian marriage certificate to prove that she is legally married to him?

If she does not have a marriage certificate then no marriage has taken place.

Under Sharia law a couple only have to declare that they are married in front of two male witnesses Spore. It was the same in England many years ago.

Oh dear red flags are flying here. I hope someone can convince her that it definitely sounds like a scam.

I did manage to have a chat with her yesterday, and explained about Sharia law marriages. It explained why her friend came home and told her son that she was married to this lad. Also explains why he refers to her as his 'wife', and she told me his parents (both younger than her), also say she is now family/

She was alarmed but is going to a solicitor next week to have her will re-dated so this it will be 'after' any such marriage. I hope this will be enough.

She took it all well and really accepted that it was being told to her in her best interests. She was very thankful, wants to take me lunch one day next week as a Thank You.

In a few weeks time she is having a knee replacement operation, and naturally wants to ensure that all legalities are firmly in place prior to this.

Think you deserve a very nice lunch after the efforts to help Fran. You have gone above and beyond and hope this lady appreciates what you have done. Well done for persisting.

That’s good news Fran. She can make a new will in favour of her sons as regards her property in England but I have no idea if she will be able to leave any property abroad to them. She really needs a solicitor who knows about Sharia law. If she sees a solicitor to make a new will she can ask if he can put her in touch with one who can explain what, if anything, she can do to protect her property under Sharia law, here and abroad. Often in Islamic countries everything a woman has belongs to her husband.
She also needs to be wary of this man being able to claim that he is financially dependent on her and trying to challenge the English will on that basis - i.e. not give him money. If he intends to come here to look after her I assume he doesn’t have a job? I can’t help feeling that this man and his family have set her up but well done for getting through to her and keeping the friendship. You should have been a diplomat!

Totally agree with everhything you say GSM. However, small steps. When (if) she does bjuy a small property out in Egypt she means for him to have it after she dies. It is her English property and money that she wants to go to her son and her other sons children. I have told her that I am not certain whether or not an English court would even overlook a later dated will, and she needs to check this out also.

I was very careful not, in any way, to badmouth this young man - did say that his thrice daily contacting her did ring some alarm bells, She came up with a reason (excuse for that.

Slowly slowly, will work with her, but the most important thing is that she protects her wishes for her son and g.children.

In the U.K I know several couples who married under the Sharia Law, it is a binding ceremony for the couples under the Islamic ruling, the man will go to the mosque with several men and the woman stays at the house with her family/friends. The Holy man does the prayers and ceremony in the mosque with the men and then telephones the woman at the house, that's it they are married.
In the U.K for this to be recognized as U.K marriage the couple will then have to have an English ceremony at a registery office and get U.K documents if they want to.
I do not know anything about financial side of things or how property or anything else is distributed if they separate.
If they have done the U.K ceremony then it will be handled just like any other divorce that people can get.