Islamic marriage advice and family advice

I converted but my husband didn’t; Is my marriage halal?

Muslim woman praying at the Blue Mosque in Turkey

Assalamu alaikom,

I have converted to Islam for few months now while I am married to my non-muslim husband.

I read during my research prior to my conversion that my marriage will become invalid. This made it harder for me to convert, but Alhamdulillah I passed that stage and said my shahada because I believe Islam is the true religion.

Now, I still pretty much married.  By the way, he made it clear that he will not convert but respects my belief.

Am I living a halal life with my husband? Please explain why and what should I do.

- muslimconvert.ca


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8 Responses »

  1. As Salamu'alaikum,

    First of all, I congratulate you for your choice. Then I praise Allah, Who has Guided you. The answer to your question (in my opinion) is that your marriage was void, when he refused to accept Islam (and three months had passed since your reversion to Islam). Three months is the time he has, to think over it and decide if he wants to revert. Otherwise, you no more remain his wife. And Allah Knows Best.

    My sister, this is the truth, and perhaps, you may have to make this sacrifice, in order to get something better in this World, and something much better than that in the Hereafter, insha Allah.

    May Allah Guide your husband to Islam
    Aameen
    Wassalamu'alaikum
    Muhammad Waseem

    • I just recalled an example:

      Zaynab, the daughter of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). She was married to Abu’l-‘Aas ibn al-Rabee’ during the Jaahiliyyah, but when she became Muslim, their marriage was annulled, and she went and stayed with her father (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). When her husband became Muslim, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent her back to him.

      (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1143; Abu Dawood, 2240; Ibn Maajah, 2009; classed as saheeh by Imaam Ahmad, 1789. Al-Tirmidhi said, there is nothing wrong with its isnaad).

  2. Actually, there are different opinions on this issue... Some schoolers said the marriage would be void, and they gave thier reasons.. while others argue the opposite,- that the marriage is still intact provided some conditions are been fulfilled,, and they also gave their reasons. . . But i personaly go with the idear that the marriage is void.. Allah knows best.

  3. Dear Sister, As-salamu alaykum,

    See similar questions that we have answered in the past:

    Converted to Islam but still married to my Christian husband

    Muslim woman convert married to Christian man wants to marry Muslim man

    The opinion of almost all Muslim scholars is that if the wife converts to Islam and the husband does not, they automatically enter 'iddah (waiting period) for divorce. This 'iddah is 3 months or 3 menstrual cycles. During that period, the couple are not allowed to have sexual relations. At the end of the 'iddah, the couple are divorced.

    There are other minority opinions, however.

    The European Council for Fatwa & Research, including Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Sheikh ‘Abdullah bin Bayyah, Sheikh ‘Abdullah al-Judai and others (from Sheikh ‘Abdullah bin Bayyah, Sina’at al-Fatwa, pp. 356-7), says:

    "If only the wife converts to Islam, the view of the Council is that: a) if she converts before the marriage is consummated, she must leave him immediately; b) if she converts after consummation and her husband converts within 3 months or within 3 of her monthly cycles, their marriage continues in its validity; c) If he eventually converts, their marriage continues in its validity, without needing a new marriage ceremony. d) If she wishes to leave her husband after the 3-month time period, she should seek dissolution of her marriage from the relevant authorities."

    "If the wife is Muslim and the husband is not, the four Madhhabs do not allow her to remain with him after the expiry of the 3-month period, or to have sexual relations with him. However, some scholars allow her to remain with him, fully-married, as long as he does not harm her regarding her religious practice and as long as she has hope that he will also convert to Islam eventually."

    "It is authentically narrated from ‘Umar bin al-Khattab that a woman became a Muslim while her husband remained non-Muslim: he ruled, “If she wishes, she may leave him or if she wishes, she may remain with him.” Also, there is an authentic narration from ‘Ali bin Abi Talib: “If the wife of a Jewish or Christian man becomes Muslim, he is entitled to remain her husband, since he has a covenant with the Muslims.” Similar views are authentically-narrated from Ibrahim al-Nakh’i, Imam Sha’bi and Hammad bin Abi Sulayman."

    ***

    It is best to stick to the majority opinion and thereby protect your deen. Try hard during the 'iddah to convince your husband to convert to Islam along with you. Be very kind to him and extra loving, without engaging in sexual contact. If he refuses, however, then you must consider the marriage ended. I realize this is difficult. But our goal in Islam is to worship Allah and that must be paramount.

    Wael
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  4. As wael said :

    ""It is authentically narrated from ‘Umar bin al-Khattab that a woman became a Muslim while her husband remained non-Muslim: he ruled, “If she wishes, she may leave him or if she wishes, she may remain with him.” Also, there is an authentic narration from ‘Ali bin Abi Talib: “If the wife of a Jewish or Christian man becomes Muslim, he is entitled to remain her husband, since he has a covenant with the Muslims.” Similar views are authentically-narrated from Ibrahim al-Nakh’i, Imam Sha’bi and Hammad bin Abi Sulayman.""

    For me, Judging from the different views of the Scholars, I think its Makrooh [not preferred]. Because if the Husband might not take care of the woman or might hurt her for her faith and modesty outside home.
    And would stop her Children from becoming muslim.

    Allah knows best.

  5. Here is my question what if my wife converts to Islam, and I have no objections to her practicing Islam, or that the children are raised Muslim. While also honoring Muslim traditions, ie.Ramadan. And also not I wouldn't allow pork or alcohol to enter the home so that her faith nor that of the children would be in jeopardy.

    • Its in your best interest to try and study about Islam and accept it. Whatever it is, after your wife converts to Islam, you'll have 3 months to convert to Islam , if you fail to do so within the time limit, she will be divorced.

      • @Chris -

        As you have been here

        I would like to tell you about Islam

        We Muslims worship Allah - the only one GOD who created you and me and all that exists.
        The GOD of Adam, Noah , Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammed (peace be upon them) and all.

        why did Jesus(peace be upon him) the son of Mary (may Allah be pleased with her) came to this earth?
        Jesus came to teach people about ALLAH. He came to teach people to worship none but ALLAH alone without associating any partners with HIM.

        Allah says
        “And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”
        {Quran 51:56}
        _________________

        Allah alone deserves to be worshiped.
        HE has no father, mother, brother, sister or son.
        HE is not like us.
        There is no one like HIM.

        Allah says,

        Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One,
        "Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).
        He neither begets nor is born,
        "And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him."

        (Quran 112: 1-4)
        __________________________

        what is the purpose of this life? just study, earn, marry, children and die or there is more to it?

        Do you know that this life is temporary?? and we will die and will be raised up again and there is going to be a day of judgement?

        Please Research about Islam. See how it makes sense inshaAllah.

        I want you to be saved from the hell fire and enter Heaven so I invite you to Islam.

        Here are some links for you where you can learn more about Islam inshaAllah
        -> quran(dot)come
        - > Invitation2Islaam(dot)wordpress(dot)com
        replace above (dot) by . and paste and search in your address bar
        __________________
        May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions!

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