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Fatwa CenterHer husband embraced Islam only to marry her
Question
Dear Sir I'am Muslim married to a French (European). Before marriage he was catholic,but he converted to Islam in order to marry me.I knew that he has converted to Islam just to marry me not because he is convinced.We have been living together for 3 years now (no kids).From time to time I talk to him about Islam trying to convince him and get him to be a good muslim.When you ask him about his religion, he says he is muslim,but he says it because he is married to me not because he really believes in Islam.Now he is going to mosque every Saturday to learn about Islam because I pushed him and I told him our marriage life depends on him being a good muslim otherwise I will ask for divorce. Every time he comes back I ask him how he feels and he says it is interesting but he is still the same. He is telling me that he is going there because I am pushing him and if I did not ask him to go he will not go. I do not want to miss the chance of getting someone a good muslim as I am ready to do all my best to see him a good muslim because I want to be rewarded by Allah and not punished. I am ready to do anything for Islam, but as Allah says (inaka la tahdi man tohib, lakina lah yahdi man yachaa). So I am ready to continue on condition that my relation with him is Halal. If not then I would divorce. I even asked him if he has to choose between me and Islam, he said he would choose me, while if he asked me to choose between and Islam of course I would choose Islam. I need to know is our marriage Halal from the point of view of Islam? Do I have to continue in our marriage and keep trying till he is convinced or I should ask for divorce? I do not want to live in Haram at all. I have been feeling guilty that I married him even if I knew that he converted just to marry. Inside my heart I am not comfortable and I need to find rest as I can not stand this anymore. I love Allah and prophet and I want to obey Allah as I do fear him and I want Janat after death not hell. Thank you mariem
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
You were completely wrong by marrying this man before asking whether or not it is permissible for you to marry him, and also by delaying asking about the religious ruling on this marriage for all this long period of time.
However, if this man just claimed to be a Muslim, or that he just uttered the Two Testimonies of Faith without abiding by the apparent religious rites, like praying, fasting, and so forth, then he is not a Muslim at all, in which case, this marriage is void. So, you are obliged to separate from him immediately as the Muslim scholars agreed that the marriage of a Muslim woman with a non-Muslim man is void; for more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 83425.
Also, you are obliged not to allow him to have sexual intercourse with you, otherwise you will be committing Zina (adultery), we seek refuge with Allaah for you from this. So, you should seek help of whoever may help you to get rid of him.
As regards advising him to abide by the religious obligations of Islam, then if Allaah Knows that there is good in him, He would send him someone who would be a reason for his guidance. If you think good of him, then you may seek the help of some trustworthy brothers who run Islamic centers in your country to call him to Islam, but as far as you are concerned, you should flee from him and save your own self.
On the other hand, if he had abided by the religious rites when he married you, then he is a Muslim, and his marriage to you would be valid. Indeed, you did well by being concerned regarding him learning his religious matters and becoming a righteous man. Nonetheless, if you see that he wants to deceive you and you fear that he will harm your religion and weaken your faith, then you have the right to ask for divorce due to the harm. Rather, you should ask him to divorce you as there is no good in having marital relationship with such a man. If he refuses to divorce you, then you should take the matter to one of the Islamic centers so that they will oblige him to divorce you even by you paying him compensation.
Allaah Knows best.
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