𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (224)

Marry someone according to what they are TODAY - NOT what you'd like them to become TOMORROW Question: A man who does not pray has proposed to a committed (ملتزمة) young woman, and she has agreed to marry him, believing that she will be able to guide him towards righteousness by encouraging him to pray and adhere to religious duties. Is her decision correct and is it permissible for her to agree to this marriage? She seeks your advice and guidance. Sheikh Uthaymeen raḥimahullāh: Her opinion is incorrect and, in fact, invalid. It is not permissible for her to marry this man. A PERSON WHO DOES NOT PRAY IS CONSIDERED AN APOSTATE, and it is not lawful for anyone to marry him off, even if it is assumed that he might change in the future. We say that knowledge of the future is with Allah alone, and He may instead influence his righteous wife negatively. Therefore, we should only consider the current situation. If a man does not pray, it is not permissible for anyone to marry their daughter to him. Thus, we advise this woman not to marry this man under any circumstances and not to assume that she can change him afterward. We must focus on what is presently in front of us, and the future is known only to Allah. Additionally, there is the possibility that the influence could work in the opposite direction, whereby he leads the righteous woman astray. There is also a small note: I prefer that people describe a man who is committed to his religion as مستقيم "upright" rather than ملتزم "committed" because this aligns with the Qur'an. As Allah the Almighty says (interpreted meaning), "Indeed, those who have said, 'Our Lord is Allah' and then remained upright" (Qur'an 41:30). He did not say "and then were committed." Thus, describing a religious person as "upright" is more accurate according to the Qur'an than using the term "committed." Moreover, "committed" has a different meaning in Fiqh, as is well-known in the rulings of Ahl Adh-Dhimmah. In conclusion, I encourage people to replace the term "committed" with "upright," as it is the term used in the Qur'an. @womensbenefits