As a Non-Muslim, Can I Do Secret Marriage To Avoid Sin With a Muslim Guy?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I am a Catholic and have been dating a Muslim guy for four years; a few months ago, I started researching Islam and am considering converting to Islam. But since we are dating, we want to have a nikah and make our relationship halal. I live in a small town, and my parents don’t like Muslims. I am afraid of telling them about my plans for converting and having a nikah, so I was thinking of doing it secretly until I reach an age when I can tell my parents about it. I am 17 now. We were thinking of having the nikah outside of our town, but can the nikah be done without two witnesses? We were thinking for witnesses: his father and his brother.
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 despite not being a Muslim.
Islamically, a marriage can only take place if there are two male witnesses or one male and two females. You mention that his father and brother are ready to be a witness so that it will be valid.
Practically, looking at your age, being non-Muslim too, and having parents unaware of the situation, this is a sensitive matter. You will have to look into it between yourselves, and you can find a local Imam and scholar who will guide you accordingly based on your country, culture, and norms.
Contract of Marriage
Marriage is concluded and contracted with the offer and acceptance in the presence of two male witnesses or one male and two female witnesses.
[Maydani, al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]
However, I empathize with your situation and hope you find a solution to avoid sin and still please your parents. The reason is that if you were to perform a secret nikah, it would be valid with the presence of two witnesses. But how would you avoid pregnancy? And what if he divorces you while you are secretly married? How might you explain that to your parents? Discuss this with the guy and maybe a local Imam.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related Links:
- Love, Marriage, and Relationships in Islam: All Your Questions Answered
- Etiquette of Marriage: A Comprehensive SeekersGuidance Reader
- Is a Nikah Valid in the Presence of Three Female Witnesses and without the Mention of Dowry? – SeekersGuidance
- Can I Marry Without My Parents’ Consent and Knowledge?
- Is It Valid to Marry in Secret?
- Can I Marry in Secret With the Minimum Conditions for a Valid Marriage to Avoid Fornication?
- New to Islam Reader: A Trusted Collection of Resources for Converts – SeekersGuidance
- How Do I Enter Islam? I Want to Become Muslim. – SeekersGuidance
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy like Introduction to Islam?
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.
