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 a Christian girl married to a muslim boy. I didnot wish to change my religion and my name after marriage. however, my in laws changed my name afterthe marriage and i was forced to sign on the Nikahnamawith the new name. i did not like any of this and Ialso showed my disagreement regarding change of name. I want to continue following Christianity and myoriginal name. But my in laws are not ready to agreeto what I want. I want to know is this lawful in Islamto do what my in laws are doing. kindly help me uderstand.

Regards

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Answer:

Christian girl marriage to 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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 5 (part):

(Lawful unto the believers in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers but chaste women among the People of the Book revealed before your time when ye give them their due dowers and desire chastity, not lewdness nor secret intrigues.

Respected sister, it is lawful and permissible in Islam for a believer to marry a chaste woman from amongst the People of the Book (ie. Jews or Christians), if indeed they wish to do so.

The Christian sister who opts to marry a believer is well within her rights to keep her original name assigned to her at birth.

If the Christian sister who opts to marry a believing man wishes or chooses to follow her faith of Christianity, she is well within her rights to do so….and her following the faith of Christianity which she was born in would not effect the validity of her marriage with the Muslim man.

Your Question: I want to know is this lawful in Islam to do what my in laws are doing

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 256-257:

256 Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah Hears and Knows all things.

257 Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the Satans: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire to dwell therein (for ever).

In light of the above quoted absolutely clear Guidance and Command of the Lord Creator, it is absolutely prohibited in Islam for the believers to force their faith on someone who does not wish to believe. There is absolutely no compulsion in the faith of Islam….whoever wills may accept it, and whosoever wills may reject it.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 18 Surah Kahf verse 29:

Proclaim, “This (Al-Islam) is the Truth from your Lord: now whoever wills may accept it, and whosoever wills may reject it”.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan