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:

i had an arranged marriage and my husband left me before the marriage was consummated i did not expect him to return but he has after 2 years. i have since met someone else and love him.we want to get married but my parents want me to go back with my husband as they will never accept anyone else i may want to marry.i feel confused as i dont know the right thing to do? It would be virtually impossible to get an Islamic divorce from him and i know that the person i have chosen is decent,good, and will look after me. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Arranged marriage but Love another

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.

The truth is sister, that if the Nikaah was conducted between the man and you, then you are legally married to the man in the eyes of the law; irrespective of whether the marriage was consummated or not. Unless he divorces you, or you get a divorce from him, you will remain his legally wedded wife; and thus it would not be legal for you to marry another man.

If for any reason you do not like the man with whom your marriage was arranged; you are well within your rights to seek a divorce from him.

Dear Sister in Islam, the institution of marriage in Islam is not a play or an amusement; but a life-long commitment two people make to each other to love, honor and respect each other in matrimony. It is not a decision one should make solely on emotions or on whims and promises. One must consult their elders and responsible people who know the person one intends to get married to, and seek their advice when choosing a partner in marriage; and then make a well-thought decision.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 216: But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not.

Dear Sister in Islam, our humble advice to you is seek guidance and help from Allah Subhanah to guide you to make a decision which is better for you in the life of this world, and for the hereafter. Seek His help and guidance by performing the ‘istakhara’ prayers as was the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) whenever he wanted to make an important decision in his life. Allah Subhanah is the All-Knowing, and He knows what is good for us and what is harmful for us. And He loves those who put their trust in Him Alone.

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