Fatwa #581323 June 2002South Africa
What measures do the family of a Muslim woman, who marries an athiest, have to take?
Question
What is the islamic ruling concerning this matter? In this particular case, the woman has been married for about 15 yrs and still the family debate about how to treat her. Most of the family have reminded her at the time of the wedding that it's haraam, but she did not change her mind. I don't feel that the family should keep day-to-day contact with her, as it gives the impression to the younger members of the family that it's acceptable. What is the Islamic point of view?
Answer
It is Haraam (strictly prohibited) for a Muslim woman to marry an atheist.
The marriage is not valid according to Shari'ah (Islamic Law).
The relationship between the Muslim woman and the atheist is Zina
(fornication). When a person commits wrong, every possible effort should be
made to stop the person from the wrong. At times, that may be better
achieved by terminating relationship with the person. In some instances,
that may have an opposite effect. We advise that the seniors of the family
consult with each other and adopt a unified stand in order to best achieve
their purpose - stopping the wrong or reforming it. Complacence to a wrong
by the seniors of the family is certainly detrimental to the proper Islamic
upbringing of young family members.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
The marriage is not valid according to Shari'ah (Islamic Law).
The relationship between the Muslim woman and the atheist is Zina
(fornication). When a person commits wrong, every possible effort should be
made to stop the person from the wrong. At times, that may be better
achieved by terminating relationship with the person. In some instances,
that may have an opposite effect. We advise that the seniors of the family
consult with each other and adopt a unified stand in order to best achieve
their purpose - stopping the wrong or reforming it. Complacence to a wrong
by the seniors of the family is certainly detrimental to the proper Islamic
upbringing of young family members.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai