I am a Christian and my wife converted to Islam, are we still married?
From Darkness to Light
Hello my wife has informed me that she has converted to Islam from Orthodox Christian.
I am Catholic and have no plans to change my beliefs. My question is how was she able to convert to Islam? I understand a Muslim woman cannot be married to and Non-Muslim man, is our marriage still valid?
What about our children what is their fate? We are currently living in Dubai, UAE. Will the courts allow us to stay married in this situation.
Thank you for any advice that you may have
~ danmartinez
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, And prayers and salutations be upon the Messenger of Allah.
To proceed:
A: There are several assumptions in this question. In order to answer the question in a way that would not pose new ones, the answer will be given in three parts:
(a) is the woman considered immediately divorced upon converting to Islam, and what procedures are to be taken?
(b) is there a waiting period (‘idda) for such a woman?;
(c) can she remain living alone with the non-Muslim husband in their marriage home after her becoming Muslim?
(a) Is the woman considered immediately divorced upon converting to Islam, and if not, what procedures are to be taken?
If a married, non-Muslim woman becomes Muslim in non-Muslim lands, the husband and wife are not considered immediately legally separated. Rather, the husband is given a “grace period”, namely the length of a regular post-marital waiting period (‘idda) [three menstrual cycles for a woman who has menstrual cycles, or three months for those who don’t] before she is considered legally separated from him in the eyes of the Sacred Law. Imam Quduri writes in his Mukhtasar:
“If a woman embraces Islam in Dar al-Harb, her separation [from her husband] is not effected until she has completed three full menstrual periods (t: all of which were after her becoming a Muslim). [When she has completed the three menstrual periods], she becomes separated from her husband.” [Mukhtasar al-Quduri, chapter on “Marriage”]
The reasoning behind this, as Ibn Abidin explains, is that there is no Muslim judge, in non-Muslim lands, to legally separate between them. Thus, this “grace period” takes the effective place of the judge; the completion of the “grace period” is what becomes the effective legal cause (‘illa) of separation, in place of the judge passing such an order. [Radd al-Muhtar, 2/389].
My teacher in fiqh, Shaykh Khaled al-Kharsa, also comments that part of the wisdom of the grace period is that it gives the man a chance to think about Islam, since he is not in a Muslim country, there is no Muslim judge to decisively educate him about and offer him Islam, and he is thus unable to make an immediate decision.
If the non-Muslim husband then decides to become Muslim within the “grace period”, their marriage is considered standing, and continues without their having to write a new contract.
If, however, at the end of the “grace period”, he has not become Muslim, the separation is considered a legal separation and, according to the dominant position in the madhhab, a non-revocable divorce [Ibn Abidin, quoting from al-Bahr, 2/389-390. Thus, she is free to remarry thereafter; if he became Muslim at any point thereafter, they would not be considered married, and would require a new marriage contract in order to remarry; he would also only possess two further divorces as a Muslim.
(b) Is there a waiting period (‘idda) for such a woman?
However, this “grace period” is not a post-marital waiting period (‘idda), because such a “grace period” would equally apply in the case that the marriage had not yet been consummated, in which case no waiting period (‘idda) would be necessary [Ibn Abidin, 2/390].
The answer to this question actually poses another: if this grace period is completed, the man does not accept Islam, and they are thus legally separated, must the woman observe the post-marital waiting period (‘idda)?
Two scenarios are possible:
(1) if she remains in non-Muslim lands, or
(2) if she emigrates permanently to lands under the jurisdiction of Muslim law.
If she remains in non-Muslim lands: If a woman converts, her husband does not convert during the “grace period”, and she continues residing in non-Muslim lands during it and after its completion, there is no waiting period (‘idda) due from her. She is considered legally separated from the husband after the completion of the three menstrual-period “grace period” [Radd al-Muhtar, 2/614]; and a non-revocable divorce (baynuna) is effectuated.
However, if she is pregnant, she is not to remarry until she delivers her pregnancy. And Allah knows best.
(2) If she emigrates permanently to lands under the jurisdiction of Muslim law: If a woman converts, then leaves the non-Muslim lands with the intention of permanent emigration (hijra) to Muslim lands, and completes the “grace period”, Imam Abu Hanifa holds that there is no waiting period due from her, though, if pregnant, she may not marry until she delivers her pregnancy. [Radd al-Muhtar, 2/390, 2/391]
(c) Can she remain living alone with the non-Muslim husband in their marriage home after her becoming Muslim?
If a married, non-Muslim woman converts to Islam, regardless of whether in Muslim or non-Muslim lands, it would not be permissible for her to remain living with the non-Muslim husband after her converting, if he refuses to also convert. They may not carry on any form of marital relationships, and she would have to refrain from being in any form of seclusion (khalwa) with him, since a Muslim woman cannot be in seclusion with a non-Muslim man.
There are several reasons for this, including that a non-Muslim possesses no sovereignty over a Muslim woman; and no marital relations are permitted between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man. One may logically understand how this all relates to the converted woman in a non-Muslim marriage as follows: if married life is intrinsically not permitted between a non-Muslim man and a Muslim woman; and if the scholars mention that a woman in the waiting period of a non-revocable divorce (ba’in) is not to observe her waiting period (‘idda) at the home of a corrupt (fasiq) husband; on what basis is a Muslim woman to remain with a non-Muslim man (whom there is more to fear from than a corrupt Muslim, in such matters) in his home, alone?
In Muslim Lands:
The key difference between the procedures mentioned above in non-Muslim lands, and those which would occur in lands in which (at least) the personal law of the Sacred Law are in effect, is that there would be no grace period; the judge (qadi) would offer Islam to the spouse, upon whose acceptance or rejection the matter would be decided. Imam al-Quduri writes:
“If a woman embraces Islam and her husband is an unbeliever, the judge presents Islam to him: if he accepts Islam, she is [still] his wife; if he refuses, [the judge] legally separates them.” [Mukhtasar al-Quduri, chapter on “Marriage”]
If they are separated, it is likewise considered a non-revocable divorce. [Ibn Abidin, Quduri].
Summary
Thus, in reply to the original question:
There is no waiting period (‘idda) due from a woman who converts to Islam while having been married to a non-Muslim man. Rather, a “grace period”, the length of which is thee menstrual cycles (or three months for post-menstrual women), is given to allow the husband to consider becoming Muslim: if he does, the marriage stands; if not, they are considered divorced and legally separated.
She does not have to observe the rules of the waiting period (‘idda) during the “grace period”; thus, she is free to go where, and do as, she pleases.
During the “grace period”, however, she may not remain living alone with the non-Muslim husband, nor be in any form of seclusion, nor have any marital relations; all the rules that would apply to a non-related man with a Muslim woman apply immediately upon her conversion.
[Side note: great wisdom should be applied by those calling people to Islam; at times forbidden actions may be overlooked and kept silent about for the greater benefit of saving a human soul from disbelief. In other words, one should always remember when dealing with potential converts or newly-converted Muslims: there is no sin as great as disbelief (kufr), since every sin may be forgiven save it.]
Final note: If a married man converts, and he is married to a non Muslim woman:
What would occur if a man converts to Islam, and he is married to a non-Muslim woman?
If the woman were not marriageable for a Muslim man (ex. she were a polytheist, atheist, etc.), the answer would largely be the same as that given above: if in a non-Muslim country, there would be a grace period, they could not continue their marital relations during the grace period, and they would be legally separated at the end of the grace period; in a Muslim country, the woman would be offered Islam by the judge, who would then rule accordingly. The only difference would be that the separation would not be considered a divorce, since it was caused by the woman’s refusing to become Muslim; thus, if she were to convert and they were to remarry in the future, the man would still possess three divorces. [Radd al-Muhtar, 2/389-390].
If the woman were from the People of the Book, however, their marriage would stand, as “what is permissible to initiate, is permissible to continue and uphold”; i.e. since a Muslim man is permitted to marry women who are from the People of the Book, if a non-Muslim man converts to Islam, and his wife is from the People of the Book, their marriage stands. [Radd al-Muhtar, 2/390].
And Allah knows best.
Talal Al-Azem
Damascus
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Here are some differences of perspective from other scholars,....insha'Allah.Have patience and seek Gods help in all things.
Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiym.
wassalaatu wassalaamu alaa Rasulullah wa alaa aalihii wa sahbihi wa sallim
A. Fatwa of 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)
If both of the couple become Muslim, and they are not close relatives by blood or suckling that would make the marriage invalid, their marriage continues in its validity. (NB they do not need an Islamic nikah ceremony.)
If only the husband converts to Islam, they are not close relatives and the wife is a person of scripture, their marriage continues in its validity.
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) as before, but if a long time period has passed, she may remain with him in the expectation that he will convert also. 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.
4. 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.
B. FATWA OF SHEIKH ‘ABDULLAH AL-JUDAI (from his book Islam Ahad al-Zawjayn, pp. 249-251)
There is no decisive, unequivocal text (nass qati’) about this matter.
There is no consensus (ijma’) about this matter.
Pre-Islamic marriages are sound and valid. They can only be annulled for definite reasons. Difference of religion is not a definite cause of invalidity due to the absence of an unequivocal text and due to the existence of a difference of opinion about the matter.
Evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah shows that a couple remaining together with a difference of religion does not damage the basis of their faiths. Their relationship remains sound, not corrupt.
The simple fact that one of them converts to Islam does not invalidate the marriage.
Despite the multitude of people converting to Islam in his time, it is not recorded at all that the Prophet (pbuh) separated a husband and wife or ordered their separation due to one of them converting, or due to one of them converting before the other. What is authentic from him is the opposite, as in the case of his daughter Zaynab who remained married to Abul-‘As for six years after she converted to Islam and before he did so, just before the Conquest of Mecca and after the revelation of Surah al-Mumtahinah. The most that happened was that she emigrated and left him in Mecca after the Battle of Badr, but her emigration (hijrah) did not nullify their marriage.
To say that the ayah of al-Mumtahinah ends marital relations due to a difference of religion is not correct. It only applies when one spouse is at war with Islam (harbi), not simply a non-Muslim (kafir).
The ayah of al-Mumtahinah allows a believer to marry a believing woman whose husband is at war with Islam. It does not obligate this. The story of Zaynab shows that a woman’s marriage to a non-Muslim (harbi) man changes from being binding to being allowed. The reason for this is the difficulty of her returning to her harbi husband, and the difficulty she faces without a husband.
The ayah forbids a Muslim man from retaining a non-Muslim wife who has not joined him in emigrating from a land of kufr to a land of Islam, or has fled from him, renouncing her faith and joining non-Muslims who are at war with Islam. The reason for this is to prevent an inclination towards ones enemies, as happened with Hatib bin Abi Balta’ah, who wrote to the polytheists about some of the movements of the Muslims due to the presence of some of his relatives in Mecca.
When one of the couple converts to Islam whilst the other is not at war with Islam, they are allowed to remain together. They are not separated simply due to difference of religion. The evidence for this is the practice of the Prophet (pbuh) and the Companions regarding those who embraced Islam in Mecca before the Hijrah and at the Conquest of Mecca. This was also the fatwa given by ‘Umar during his caliphate without any opposition, and also by ‘Ali.
A difference in religion due to the conversion of one of the couple to Islam allows the annulment of the marriage but does not obligate it, as shown by the judgment of ‘Umar with the endorsement of the Companions.
The conclusions of the Madhhabs in this matter are not to be given precedence due to their opposition to what is established, weakness of evidence (dalil), weakness of juristic indication (istidlal), or all of the above.
The allowance for the couple to remain together means that their marital life together is permitted, including sexual intercourse.
C. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE LIKELY EFFECTS ON CHILDREN
The majority of jurists regard a man who doesn’t pray regularly out of laziness as still a Muslim and not a kafir, so his wife is not obliged to divorce him.
In certain situations, the wife is allowed to have patience and persevere with her marriage, despite the objectionable behaviour of her husband, especially if she has children from him and she fears that they will become psychologically ruined and wasted.
(Sheikh ‘Abdullah bin Bayyah, Sina’at al-Fatwa, p. 353)
Compiled and translated by Usama Hasan, London, 13th January 2012
The following is excerpts from The noble commentary of Ibn Katheer on the related ayats concerning the issue.Some have said this prohibition is for idolaters only and not the (people of the book).Also,..other scholars have said that the prohibition is about those woman from (marrying non muslims)in the future and does not refer to those who are (ALREADY MARRIED).Allah truely knows best.They also say that is becouse they are the people of the book(Christians /jews) and they are not idolaters.
The Prohibition of marrying Mushrik Men and Women
Allah says;
وَلاَ تَنكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ ...
And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (idolatresses) till they believe (worship Allah Alone).
Allah prohibited the believers from marrying Mushrik women who worship idols.
Although the meaning is general and includes every Mushrik woman from among the idol worshippers and the People of the Scripture, Allah excluded the People of the Scripture from this ruling.
Allah stated:
مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ
(Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time when you have given their due dowry, desiring chastity (i.e., taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse. (5:5)
Ali bin Abu Talhah said that Ibn Abbas said about what Allah said: وَلاَ تَنكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ (And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (female idolators) till they believe (worship Allah Alone).
"Allah has excluded the women of the People of the Scripture.'' This is also the explanation of Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Makhul, Al-Hasan, Ad-Dahhak, Zayd bin Aslam and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and others.
Some scholars said that;
the Ayah is exclusively talking about idol worshippers and not the People of the Scripture, and this meaning is similar to the first meaning we mentioned.
Allah knows best.
Abu Jafar bin Jarir (At-Tabari) said, after mentioning that there is Ijma that marrying women from the People of the Scripture is allowed,
"Umar disliked this practice so that the Muslims do not refrain from marrying Muslim women, or for similar reasons.''
Ibn Jarir related that Zayd bin Wahb said that;
Umar bin Khattab said, "The Muslim man marries the Christian woman, but the Christian man does not marry the Muslim woman.''
This Hadith has a stronger, authentic chain of narrators than the previous Hadith.
Ibn Abu Hatim said that;
Ibn Umar disliked marrying the women from the People of the Scripture. He relied on his own explanation for the Ayah: وَلاَ تَنكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ (And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (female idolators) till they believe (worship Allah Alone).
Al-Bukhari also reported that Ibn Umar said,
"I do not know of a bigger Shirk than her saying that Jesus is her Lord!''
Allah said:
... وَلأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ...
And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) Mushrikah (female idolators), even though she pleases you.
It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said:
تُنْـكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ لِأَرْبَعٍ:
لِمَالِهَا
وَلِحَسَبِهَا
وَلِجَمَالِهَا
وَلِدِينِهَا،
فَاظْفَرْ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ، تَرِبَتْ يَدَاك
A woman is chosen for marriage for four reasons:
her wealth,
social status,
beauty, and
religion.
So, marry the religious woman, may your hands be filled with sand (a statement of encouragement).
Muslim reported this Hadith from Jabir.
Muslim also reported that Ibn Amr said that Allah's Messenger said:
الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ، وَخَيْرُ مَتَاعِ الدُّنْيَا الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَة
The life of this world is but a delight, and the best of the delights of this earthly life is the righteous wife.
Allah then said:
... وَلاَ تُنكِحُواْ الْمُشِرِكِينَ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنُواْ ...
And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikin till they believe (in Allah Alone).
meaning, do not marry Mushrik men to believing women.
This statement is similar to Allah's statement:
لاَ هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ
They are not lawful (wives) for them, nor are they lawful (husbands) for them. (60:10)
Next, Allah said:
... وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ...
...and verily, a believing servant is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolator), even though he pleases you.
This Ayah indicates that a believing man, even an Abyssinian servant, is better than a Mushrik man, even if he was a rich master.
... أُوْلَـئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ...
Those (Al-Mushrikun) invite you to the Fire,
meaning, associating and mingling with the disbelievers makes one love this life and prefer it over the Hereafter, leading to the severest repercussions.
Allah said:
... وَاللّهُ يَدْعُوَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ ...
...but Allah invites (you) to Paradise and forgiveness by His leave,
meaning, by His Law, commandments and prohibitions.
Allah said:
...and makes His Ayat clear to mankind that they may remember.
Now ends the relating of the tafseer
(side not from poster) the displeasurement of The great sahaba and khalifh Umar r.a. should bt noted that he disliked the marrying of woman to the people of the book ,and is not a proof about those who are already married and the woman becomes muslim)
Dear danmartinez,
Your wife has accepted the truth, she has been guided by Allah.
When she has accepted Islam, you are given 3 months to consider Islam, after which, your relationship stands nullified. If you wish to accept Islam later and marry her, then you can do so by doing an Islamic Nikah.
This was just to put shortly, what brother Bashir Ali said above. I advise you to read about Islam, read the Quran, about the Prophet of Islam (from the biography of the prophet called 'sealed nectar' which is widely available). Perhaps this is a chance given to you by Allah.
But this is to be done totally out of your choice if you are satisfied with Islam, not compelled by any external force.
Kind Regards,
Muhammad Waseem
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
I don't know for sure but i think that,If a Christian or any other religion except Muslim couple marries, and subsequently the wife accepts Islam as her religion but her husband refuses to accept Islam, the marriage will be considered illegal.
In an Islamic Society if the husband does not accept Islam, the marriage will be declared null and void, the children will be given to the mother regardless of their age, and the children will be treated and considered as muslims, and every right that is due to a muslim will be accorded to these children.
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.
Besides this two brother gave you strong advice mine one just general thought.
However, from a legal standpoint, if you and your wife married in the US, you are still married until you divorce in a US court. Neither of you can marry another until then.
Also, from a Catholic point of view...if they were married in a Catholic church, and divorce legally, they must have their Catholic marriage annulled via the Catholic Counsel. The poster in question is Catholic. He cannot remarry in the Catholic church or anywhere without first seeking an annullment of his Catholic marriage. Otherwise, any subsequent marriage of his will be deemed invalid and he will be guilty of adultery. Likewise, if his wife converts to Islam, but was married in a Catholic church, she too must have her marriage covenant in the church dissolved prior to remarrying anyone else. Her conversion to Islam will not nullify her Catholic marriage, nor will it dissolve her legal marriage if she married in the US or another country that requires a court approved divorce.
If the poster decideds to convert to Islam (which it doesn't seem as though he is) both of them should consult a Catholic scholar to determine the procedures to dissolve the Catholic marriage covenant prior to marrying again Islamically.
@ Nadia,
The Catholic Church regards the god of Islam to be the same god in which all three Abrahamic faiths believe. That is why the Catholic church will grant dispensations (approval) to mixed faith marriages so long as the religions are Abrahamic (Jewish, Catholic, Islam). My cousin is a Catholic who is married to a Jewish man and both of them received approval to marry by their respective faiths and even though they are of different faiths, their marriage is seen as valid because it is a covenant before God, and He is one and the same. The poster's wife changed religions, she did not change gods. So, no, in the Catholic religion, if a spouse accepts Islam, it does not invalidate the covenant of marriage already made. The couple must divorce and ask for an annullment to dissolve the covenant.
The catholic church beleives in trinity... They beleive that jesus is God and God is jesus... And we muslims dont beleive jesus to be God, or jesus having shear of divinity... So clearly the catholics and the muslims do not worship thesame God..
The catholics call mary 'mother of God'... And whosoever accept or beleive in this, is automatically a nonmuslim... Mary is not the mother of the God of the muslims,, the God of the muslims is far above having a mother. He begets not, nor was he begotten... He has NO child, no son, no children... so clearly the catholics/christians and the muslims do not worship thesame God..
The marriage in the Catholic church takes place before God, not Jesus and not Mary. God and God alone. Trinity or no trinity, the Catholic standing is that all three Abrahamic religions worship the same God (paragraph 841 of the Roman Catholic Cathecism). The Jews do not belive Mary was a virgin, they don't hold to the trinity, yet Catholicism still views their God as the same. You don't have to agree with it, but as the poster is a Catholic and wants to continue in his faith, he needs to deal with connundrum regarding the sanctity of his marriage, within his chosen religion.
Therefore, if the poster above is divorced from his wife, she and he must annul the marriage in the church so that HE, the poster, will be allowed to remarry without being attainted of the sin of adultery. She must agree to do that so her husband can move on with his own life and continue his own faith if he so wishes.
Dear
in islam it is clearly prohibit that muslim girls and boys never marry any
disblivers
sure ur marriage will be invalid if u marry her and ur childerns will be not
happy and they wil in confuse between both of parents of different religion
if u really hove that girl and want to marry her than i request u please
accept islam and become muslim
their is no harm to u if u become muslim their is only gain
allaha will forgive ur all sins and bad deed and he will make ur like ease
he will award u heaven and hve u from fire of hell
islam is very good and clean religion and only 1 real religious in the entire universe
their is no god excelt allaha to pray and worship
plz convert to muslim accept islam offer 5 time a day namaz and believe in allaha by ur hearth and mind
than u see with in no time allaha will reward u
when u accept islam u can marry her and ur marriage will be valid and u can live happy life
if u r not intrested to accept islam than i humbly request u plz do not marry with that muslim girl
and dont ruin her life by marrying her with out acceptinge islam
plz dont go for interreligious marriage
and plz dont ask her to convert to christanity
if ur not intrested to accept islam leave her on her and go out of her life
and let her to marry some other good muslim boys and let her to live happy life
Hi dear, I agree you know I'm married to a Christian man. Then I revert to Islam, Alhamdulillah. But it was very hard for my husband to accept Islam, I'm here in UAE and he's in Philippines. It was really hard for a man, now I understand the reason why girls can't marry a non-muslim. And by the way we have 3 kids also, now I don't know what to do. I trust ALLAH (S.W.T.) for everything.
Muslim Young Boy
The author of this post and his wife are already married as Christians. The question is to what happens to their marriage if she converts and he does not. A marriage between the two already exists.
i say u please convert in to muslim accept islam and make believe from ur heart and
mind that allaha is only god in universe to worship and mohammed is his prophet
and pray 5 time namaz a day and live happy life with ur present wife
if u dont want to convert plz diverse her immediately an ask her to get marry to any good
muslim boy
Oh Muslim Young Boy, if only it were so easy:) But Catholicism can be complicated. If one converts and the other does not, for the sake of the Catholic and their soul, certain steps must be taken in order to be absolutely sure their marriage is nullified so neither commits the sin of zina, and both are free to remarry. I don't know if an Islamic court can dissolve the bonds of a Christian marriage. There are also facts that we don't have from the poster:
Were both of them baptised? Or just one of them?
Was the marriage performed in a Catholic/Orthodox church or outside the church under which Lack of Form could be applied?
Is their marriage valid only, or valid and sacramental?
Does semel Catholicus, semper Catholicus apply to one of them, or both of them?
Do they have children? Were the children baptised?
I asked a canonist a simple question: If a Catholic couple marries and one converts to Islam, is their marriage still valid?
The answer is YES. Conversion of one spouse to another religion does not negate the marriage. They are considered married until a tribunal dissolves the union through the annulment process.
hi thanks for this useful info .. all of this related to me and i gather some points of view .. thanks lydia u enlighten my troubled minds. my husband and i married in catholic church have two children but he converted muslim and the woman .. but they get married thru muslim rites without having annulled our catholic wedding .. the question is if their marriage is legal? ... Shiella
@shiella
i have the same situation just like you.. My question is, our marriage is still valid? Some of muslim told me that our marriage is considered nulled and void..
my husband and I got married in catholic church wayback 1994
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my husband and i married in catholic church. We have two children but he converted muslim and married a muslim woman .. but they get married thru muslim rites without having annulled our catholic wedding .. Question, is their marriage is valid?
Plz go to real scholars with issue like this