Embracing Islam for the purpose of marriage

08/02/2016| IslamWeb

Question

many cases of people converting to islam for love. would this be considered a valid reason?? i mean they entered islam just to get married to the muslim man or woman and really don't have interest in the religion or any religion at all for that matter.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Allah does not accept any religion except that which is sincerely devoted to Him while seeking His Pleasure. Allah Says (what means): {Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion.}[Quran 39:3]

Furthermore, the Prophet said: “Actions are indeed judged by intentions.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Therefore, whoever embraces Islam for the reason of marrying a woman and the like, then Allah does not accept his /her Shahada (Islamic profession of faith) and will not accept as a believer but in this worldly life, he should be treated (by people) as a Muslim unless he shows something contrary to this [to the religion of Islam].

Finally, it should be noted that a person may embrace Islam for a worldly purpose, but soon Allah opens his heart for the religion of Islam, and then he becomes a good Muslim.

Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb