Is It Acceptable to Convert to Islam for Marriage
One of the motivations of those who convert to Islam may be marrying someone who is a Muslim. In Islam, marriage is a sacred and dear institution to Allah, and it plays a very crucial role in the formation of an ideal society. It is in fact, considered one of the greatest Divine blessings for responding to the natural instincts of human beings. However, according to the Islamic teachings, faith is the first quality to be considered in choosing a spouse.
A
faithful and harmonious partner plays a crucial role in having a
prosperous life. It is on this basis that the Quran, the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) and his Ahl al-Bayt (AS) have laid great emphasis on religion and
well mannerism as necessary criteria for marriage
Meanwhile, an important question that comes to mind is that, “can we convert to Islam for the sake of marriage or not?”
The Highest Goal of Islamic Marriage
Marriage
is a natural necessity for every human being and several good outcomes
such as procreation, sexual satisfaction, peace of mind, etc. are
considered as the purposes of marriage. However, these could not be the
ultimate goal of marriage in Islam as the non-Muslims can also achieve
these, perhaps in better ways.
Humankind
is not created solely to eat, drink, sleep, seek pleasure or act
lustfully. Thus, the aim of marriage for a religious person should be a
means of gaining proximity to Allah and avoiding sins. In this regards, a
good and faithful partner assumes a vital role as he/she invites
his/her partner to goodness, in the same way as a corrupt person would
tempt his/her partner towards corruption. Islam has enjoined its
adherents to consider religion and good manners as necessary criteria
for the selection of their future partners on different occasions.
The
Prophet (PBUH) said: “If I were to bestow all the good of both worlds
upon a Muslim, I would endow him with a humble heart; a tongue which
continuously utters the praises of Allah; a body patient enough to
withstand all calamities; and I would give him a pious spouse, who when
he sees her becomes happy and protects his property as well as her own
honour in his absence”.[1]
Convert to Islam for Marriage
In the Quran, it is said:
“Do
not marry idolatresses until they embrace faith. A faithful slave girl
is better than an idolatress, though she should impress you. And do not
marry [your daughters] to idolaters until they embrace faith…” (2: 221)
From
the above verse, it is clear that faith and religion is an
uncompromised condition for marriage in Islam. It has explicitly
prohibited marriage with the infidels except that they embrace Islam, as
the statement “until they embrace faith” indicates. Thus, neither is
the man allowed to marry idolatress nor a Muslim woman is allowed to
marry an idolater. However, there is a separate ruling [i] to
Meanwhile,
following the Islamic jurisprudence, it is considered permissible for
someone to convert to Islam for marriage, as there is not any religion
hindrance on that, as far as it is based on the sincerity of intention
and a strong determination to act by the Islamic teachings. Although
such a conversion might not be the best idea, it might be a perfect
chance to think more about converting to the real and true religion.
Conclusion
In
Islam, faith and religion are crucial requirements to be considered in
the choice of a future spouse. This is because the ultimate goal of a
marriage is the everlasting salvation in this world and the Hereafter.
And this cannot be achieved by marrying an idolatress or idolater.
However, based on the verdicts of the Islamic jurists, it is acceptable
to convert to Islam for the sake of marriage, so far as it is based on
the sincerity of intention and a resolution to work in line with the
teachings of the religion.
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