Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

One of my husband's cousin married an english woman who is an atheist and wears inappropriate clothes. I do not know how to react to them.Some of us have tried to talk to her but she does not want to listen at this time. Do i just abandon them or be patient? I do not want my kids to take that path. Please advice.

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Answer:

Husband cousin married an athiest

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Beloved sister, when the woman who does not dress appropriately is an atheist, it would be of little benefit to invite her to wear appropriate clothing! Covering the shameful parts is a natural act of mankind, but unfortunately in this modern-educated-but-ignorant and ‘free’ world, exposing of the body parts is viewed upon as being modern and fashionable!

Instead of criticizing her mode of clothing, which will only put her on the defensive; as her sincere well-wisher it would be better if you could invite her with patience and wisdom to read and understand the Quran, and explain with logic the advantages of living within the boundaries of the Creator of all mankind.

It would be very surprising if one’s kids were to follow the path of a believing husband’s believing cousin’s atheist wife! The kids would be more influenced from the practice of one’s parents and their surroundings. If the children are of understandable age, it is the duty of the parents to make them understand the concept of right and wrong, good and evil, permissible and the forbidden, and the boundaries that are laid upon the believers by their Merciful Lord.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan