Home
Discover Islam
Quran Recitations
Lectures
Fatwa
Articles
Fiqh
E-Books
Women
Boys & Girls 
Enter Question
View By Subject
Fatwa Of The Week
Selected Fatwa
Fatwa CenterNon-Muslim wife asked to become Muslim but need not pray, wear hijab or fast Ramadan
Question
I am Christian, married to a Muslim. We have a baby of 3 months. My husband has asked me for several years to convert to Islam (Al Shahada). He swears that he will never ask me to wear a scarf, to pray, to make Ramadan (because I am not willing to do these things). Is that logical?
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.
We are grateful for your desire to reach the truth. We are also grateful to your husband for his interest in Islam, which we are all required to follow. What he has told you needs some explanation.
Islam is a comprehensive religion. It is a way that should be practiced in all walks of life. It is suitable for all people, in all places and in all times. It contains beliefs, forms of worship, rules of conduct, and principals for every kind of dealing with human beings. Almighty Allah dislikes partial acceptance of Islam, i.e., belief in some revealed things and denial of others.
Allah says in the Holy Quran (what means} {Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.} [Quran 2:85]
The Fundamentals of Islam are five:
1. Bearing witness that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.
2. Performing Salah (prayer) five times a day.
3. Giving Zakat (special Islamic system of charity).
4. Fasting the month of Ramadan.
5. Performing Hajj once in one's lifetime if able to do so.
Hijab (covering oneself) is also among the orders of Almighty Allah to Muslim women.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran (what means} {O Prophet! Tell your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies.} [Quran 33:59]
Allah also says (what means): {…and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms, etc.} [Quran 24:31]
Actually, Hijab is a protection for women. It keeps their honor, ensures their chastity, and halts the mischievous person to harm the women.
Once again, know that Islam is a comprehensive religion; no one has the right to add to it or subtract from it as they wish.
Allah says (what means}: {This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.} [Quran 5:3]
This is a brief answer to your question.
I can see from your question that you have a logical and a serious personality and you want to reach the truth.
By the grace of Allah, you have an open mind and an open heart.
For this reason, we would like to offer some advice that may be helpful to you. By Allah, be assured that we want happiness and goodness for all mankind, especially for persons like you who are searching for the truth. These are our recommendations for you:
1) Read about Islam from reputable sources. Do not believe what just any person writes about Islam.
2) You should not judge Islam by the current condition or example of Muslims because many Muslims are not practicing their religion for many reasons. Many are ignorant of true Islamic teachings, practice customs and traditions of the culture, and others.
Simply ignore its actual teachings. They should not be considered as true representatives of Islam.
3) Try to find out the truth without any partiality by reading the Quran and authentic reports of Prophet Mohammed's life, sayings and actions.
Whenever you know the truth, accept it, because it is the basis for a happy successful life in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.
We are grateful to your husband on his attention to you, and his desire that you follow the straight path leading to success in this life and the next. This is the duty of each and every Muslim.
Feel free to correspond, we will be happy to assist in any way we can.
May Allah bless you and your family and show you, and all mankind, the right path.
Allah knows best.
Search Fatwa
Fatwa Subject
