Can a Catholic Girl Marry a Muslim Man?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I’m a Catholic girl, and I fell in love with a Muslim man I work with. I had an ex-boyfriend before I met this Muslim man. I’m still a virgin, as I haven’t gone to the extent of sex. However, I engaged in oral sex with my ex, but that was also before I met the man I’m in love with now. I haven’t engaged in any sexual activity for the past 2 years with another person since then. I’m deeply in love with this Muslim man, and we spoke about marriage and how I can still practice my religion without converting. I just want to know whether it will be a sin for him to marry me considering my past, even if I didn’t know I’d fall in love with a Muslim man. Even if I repent as a Catholic, will it be null and void?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question and for seeking guidance.
It is permissible for you both to get married. Your past action does not have to be mentioned apart from having had a boyfriend. However, you have to look to the future, and having differences in religion and the possibility of it affecting your marriage, choices, upbringing of children, etc. This is something where many have issues, and consequently, it results in trouble in marriage. God forbid.
I would like to invite you to look into Islam. It is not a new religion but the continuation and final combination of all the other Abrahamic faiths, where one believes in Prophet Jesus and Mary (peace be upon them both), etc.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction with the will of Allah Most High.
Related:
- New to Islam Reader: A Trusted Collection of Resources for Converts
- What Are Some Recommendations on What To Study for a New Muslim?
- Love, Marriage and Relationships in Islam: All Your Questions Answered
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
