Is It Permissible to Marry a Man Who Isn’t Muslim Just Yet?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

My fiancé stopped believing in the trinity concept, Alhamdullah. But he hasn’t taken the shahada yet. I don’t want to force him. We are getting married soon, and he is not Muslim 100%, but he is better than a lot of Muslims. My fiancé was born Catholic. Alhamdulillah, he is a righteous person, and he fears God in his deeds. He starts his day by saying: bismillah, and he believes now that Jesus is Allah’s messenger.

He hasn’t embraced Islam yet, and we are getting married. He is a very good man. He doesn’t drink or gossip; he is good to his family. I don’t want to push him away from Islam by forcing him to revert.

Answer

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for wanting to do the right thing, and don’t worry, the answer I’m going to give you is not strict; I’m only going to tell you the truth.

Impermissible

Allah Most High told us in the Quran, “Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise.” [Quran, 2:221]

It is not permissible for a Muslim lady to marry a non-Muslim man. Wait until he converts, don’t force him, just wait. Allah has not permitted it, and if you are a believer, and are asking this question, I think you know deep down that this is wrong.

If it doesn’t work out, remember this hadith: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “You will never leave something for the sake of Allah, but Allah will give you something better in return.” [Ahmad]

Please see these links for much more detail:

• Can a Muslim Woman Marry a Non-Muslim Man?
• Does Islam Allow Muslims to Get Married to a Christian Man or Woman?
• What is Islam’s Stance on Muslim Men and Women Marrying Non-Muslims?

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.