Can we both get married after we convert?
Sir,
I am having a problem. I am married back in the Philippines since March 2011 but our relationship didn't work. Now, we are separated since Feb-2012. As of now, I am working here in Saudi Arabia. I have a girlfriend right now but she didn't know that I am married back in the Philippines.
But we are planning to convert from Christian to Islam and to get married. My question is, can we become a legal wife and husband?
Your quick response will be highly appreciated
Thanks and regards,
majeed123.
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ASSALAMALAIKUM
1ST WE MUST KNOW WHO IS A MUSLIM AS OF TODAY AND WHO IS A CHRISTIAN-
IT IS CONFUSING WHEN YOU WE SAY
we are planning to convert from Christian to Islam..
PL REPLY CORRECTLY....
Salaams,
If I'm understanding you correctly, you are a Christian now? Maybe this is obvious, but if you are currently Christian and your girlfriend is also Christian, the only thing stopping you from marrying as you are is the fact you are still legally married to someone else. I apologize if this sounds suspicious, but I can't help but wonder if you are wanting to become Muslim only so you can engage in polygamy and marry your girlfriend? I understand that divorce is not legal in Phillipines, and you know that that you can't practice polygamy as a Christian.
I will assume the best that you are converting for sincere reasons. If you became a Muslim man, you can take another wife whether she be Muslim, Jew, or Christian. So technically, your girlfriend wouldn 't be required to convert to marry you, but I would still suggest she does if she is sincere about it because a marriage between two who have the same faith has the best odds of succeeding. Yet, in spite of all that, it's a big issue that you haven't told the girlfriend about your wife back home. Your girlfriend has the right to know exactly what your situation is and what she's getting into by marrying you.
Even after all of that is said and done, you still have your other wife. What are going to do about her? It doesn't sound like you two are going to get back together, but I imagine marrying someone else, even if it's in another country, might cause some legal issues back in the phillipines since you still have a legal marriage with her. Needless to say, my answer is based on the spiritual aspects, and we would be very limited to answer you on the legal ones. So if that was more the nature of your question, it would be best to consult with a family law attorney to get clarification.
-Amy
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Maybe this brother is only using conversion in islam so that he can marry his girlfriend, since they're in KSA. Live - ins not allowed in KSA, which is commonly practice by christians in Phil. Please don't convert to ISLAM for the sake of marriage, anyway you are both christians. Convert to ISLAM for the sake of ALLAH!
Naz,
This is not the place for you to have a religious debate. You clearly have a lot you want to say, so its best if you log in and submit your questions/words as a separate post. This post is for 'space' for the author to receive advice on his/her issue.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
I don't know, but I have heard from my father that people accept Islam in Saudi Arabia so that they receive the prize money for conversion which is around 3000 Saudi Riyals. Then they return to their home country and turn apostate.
If any such thing has happened with you, brother, then know that it is a major sin, that even attracts a death penalty.
I am not judging that this is the case with you. But I thought mentioning this was necessary.
But if you are both Christians then you both may convert to Islam or if the lady is Christian and you are Muslim, then it is recommended that she converts to Islam before you can marry. (And it is better if you inform her that you already have a wife in Philippines)
After that, you can approach a Qaadhi for Nikaah.
Muhammad Waseem
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
The advice given to the Filipino enquirer here, particularly that of Amy and Muhammad Waseem, strike me as being very perceptive and wise, which is so refreshing to find on the internet these days, and the Filipino gentleman should take it very seriously.
I happen to be a Christian, but I hope that the wisdom of the respondents here will continue to guide all your enquirers in the right and honest way.