A marriage app for Shia Muslims looking for a spouse.
If you are Shia and searching for marriage, the right person may not be in your city — or even your country. Zawaj helps Shia Muslims find others who share their faith, their practice and their intention to marry, with family involved along the way.
Spread across the world, and often a small circle locally.
Shia Muslims are usually estimated at around 10–15% of Muslims worldwide. There are large communities in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Lebanon, significant populations in Pakistan and India, and growing diaspora communities in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia — from Iraqi and Lebanese families to Khoja, Hazara and Pakistani communities.
In many Western cities that means the local Shia community is close-knit, and everyone seems to know everyone. Family introductions and community events still matter a great deal, but they can keep reaching the same few families. Zawaj widens your search to Shia Muslims elsewhere who share your values and are ready for marriage.
Built for a serious Shia search.
Filter by sect, search wider
Look for Shia matches near you, or open your search to other cities and countries if the local circle feels small.
Family involvement, your way
Start the conversation yourself, then bring in your parents or wali when it is time. See our parents’ guide.
Verification and reporting
Built-in verification and reporting tools help keep conversations genuine. Read more on safety and privacy.
The conversations worth having early.
For many Shia families, a good match means more than the same sect. Families may care about which marja each of you follows, how you observe Muharram and other important dates, and how involved the wider family will be after the wedding. None of these need to be identical, but it helps to talk about them openly before families meet.
It is also worth being clear about practice level. Two people who both say they are practising can mean quite different things in daily life. Our list of questions to ask before nikah and our guide to early conversations about expectations can help.
When the right person lives somewhere else.
Because Shia communities are spread so widely, many members are open to a match in another city or country — between London and Toronto, say, or between the diaspora and family back home. If that is you, be upfront about where you would want to live and how soon. Our guide to international Muslim marriages and long-distance marriages cover the practical side.
If your match follows a different tradition.
Some members are open to meeting Sunni Muslims, and some are not. Views among scholars and within families differ on Sunni–Shia marriages, and it is not our place to give rulings. We recommend honesty from the first conversation: say where you stand, ask how your families are likely to feel, and if you are seriously considering it, seek guidance together from a scholar you both trust.
See also our page for Sunni Muslims looking for marriage.
Common questions.
Can I search only for Shia Muslims on Zawaj?
Yes. You can filter matches by sect, and narrow further by practice level, background, location and openness to relocating.
I live somewhere with a small Shia community. Can I search abroad?
Yes. Widen your location filter to other cities or countries, and look for matches who are open to relocating.
Can a Shia marry a Sunni Muslim?
Scholarly and family views on Sunni–Shia marriages differ. We do not give rulings — we encourage honest conversations early and guidance from a scholar you both trust.
Is Zawaj free for Shia Muslims?
Yes. Creating a profile, browsing and messaging matches is free. Zawaj Gold and Boosts are optional extras.
Meet Shia Muslims who are serious about marriage.
Download Zawaj free — filter by sect, practice and location.
