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 am about to marry a muslim, but I am a christian myself. I am studying Islam and am very impressed with what the Propeht (pbuh) has said and the teachings of the Quran. However, have not converted and do not know whether I ever will. I know that our marriage is allowed in Islam, but my fiancee`s parents are very worried. Would it be better to tell them than I am or am about to become a muslim? Or would it be better to tell the trueth that although I am willing to follow the rules of Islam I am a christian? Thank you very much for any guidance you can give Allah Hafiz

(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:

Christian marrying a Muslim

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.

It is indeed allowed and permitted in Islam, that a muslim man can get married to a Christian or Jew woman if he wishes to do so; without the woman’s acceptance of Islam. This marriage will be absolutely legal in Islam.

All Praise is due to our Merciful Lord, Who has revealed His Message of Truth for the guidance of all mankind. You are doing the right thing by reading and understanding this Message, to understand Islam. May the All Mighty guide you and us all to the Path that is pleasing to Him.

Dear Sister, it is best that you read the Glorious Quran with understanding, and only after your heart is completely satisfied to its Truthfulness; only then should you accept Islam as your religion, if you wish to do so. No one should force or coerce you into accepting Islam, as such a thing is absolutely against the clear teachings and guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws). The All Wise Creator has bestowed each individual with intelligence and a free will, to search for the Truth with the given intelligence, and of his/her own free will, choose the path they want to follow to attain salvation.

In our humble opinion, you should always speak the Truth; as that is the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws). It would best if you told your in-laws to-be the Truth, that you are in the process of researching and contemplating about Islam, and when your heart is completely satisfied, you will, if Allah Wills, accept Islam. That would be a purer and better way forward in the relationship.

Lying about anything might seem easy, and might have some momentary gains; but its end is almost always evil and filled with disgrace. Truth on the other hand, might seem difficult to accomplish, and there is always a fear of a momentary loss….but its end is always good and lasting. Thus, one must always make it a habit to always speak the Truth; for the Truthful Lord loves those who speak the Truth.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 135:O you have believed! You be the standard-bearers of justice and witnesses for the sake of Allah; even though your justice and your evidence might be harmful to yourselves, or to your parents, or to your relatives. It does not matter whether the party concerned is rich or poor: Allah is their greater well-wisher than you. Therefore, do not follow your own desire lest you should deviate from doing justice. If you distort your evidence or refrain from the Truth, know it well that Allah is fully aware of what you do.

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