A Man Accepting Islam Can Remain
Married To Christian Wife
Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Islamic Questions & Answers
I have been considering accepting Islam for a
number of years now. However, I am married to a devout
Mormon (LDS) woman, and have ... children, whom I have
promised to raise in her religion.
My question has two parts:
First, what is the position of a man accepting Islam
with a Christian wife, and practicing Islam
independently of her, and
Second, what of a promise to raise my children in a
religion other than Islam. Obviously, I would seek to
expose them to Islam, but I am wondering about things
such as supporting her desire to have them attend her
church, etc.Thanks very much, (name witheld).
Dear (name witheld),
As-salaamu 'ala man ittaba'a al-huda (peace be upon
those who follow the true guidance). I was delighted
to learn of your serious consideration and possible
intention to accept the Islamic religion. No doubt
that step would be the greatest thing in the entire NN
years of your life. This step is the one that will
protect you from the everlasting punishment of Hell
and open to you the path to Heaven after death and
will result in success and happiness in this life and
the hereafter. I advise you to hasten with your
decision and do not hesitate and postpone. You seem to
me to be of sound wisdom that will lead you the path
of truth by the will of God (Allaah).
As for your first question, it is permissible in the
Islamic religion for a Muslim to marry a woman from
the People of the Book (Christain or Jew) if she is
chaste (i.e. of high moral character) and virtuous, as
Allaah has stated in the noble Qur'aan (interpretation
of the meaning of verse number 5 in the chapter
entitled "Al-Maa'ida," The Table):
"This day are (all) things Good and pure made lawful
unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful
unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto
you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are
believers, but chaste women among the People of the
Book, revealed before your time, when you give them
their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness,
nor secret intrigues (girlfriends or lovers)..."
Based on this verse, your marriage contract will
remain valid if you accept Islaam and become a Muslim,
and it will not require renewal. Your remaining with
your current wife is permissible as long as she is
virtuous and chaste in marriage.
As for your second question, the child in Islamic law
must follow the Muslim among his or her parents, and
it is the Muslim parent's right and responsibility to
ensure his or her proper upbringing, guidance, and
supervision. Your statement that you would seek to
expose your children to Islaam is a wise and judicious
foresight. And we hope that with the passing of time
that they will be convinced of this religion and
implement it in their lives.
No doubt that you will face some difficulty in
convincing your wife to raise your children in the
Islamic religion considering the promise you have made
to her. However, the use of wisdom and gentle judgment
will aid you, God willing, in overcoming this
difficulty. This is important especially considering
that it is expected that you will exert a concentrated
effort in inviting your wife to Islam, since if she
accepts it, the problem will be solved from its roots.
In any case, and no matter what the results, the first
step towards success will be your accepting the
religion of Islaam yourself. We pray to God (Allaah)
the Almighty and Magnificent that He eases your
affairs and brings you success in finding the path of
truth and that he guides your entire famliy to Islam.
I would be more than happy to dicuss any other
questions or concerns you may have. Salaam. Peace.
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