❖ Ruling on Leaving and Re-Embracing Islam for the Sake of Marriage ❖
❀ Question:
If a Muslim man wishes to marry a Christian woman and, for that purpose, first embraces Christianity and then, after marriage, reverts to Islam — is such an act permissible in Shari‘ah?
✿ Response by:
Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir (حفظه الله)
① Apostasy and Disbelief Cannot Be Justified by Any Motive
✘ In Islam, leaving the faith (kufr) or committing apostasy (irtidād) is absolutely impermissible for any reason whatsoever.
✔ There is no shortage of suitable matches within the Muslim community, so it is unjustifiable to abandon Islam merely for the sake of marriage.
✘ Taking the path of apostasy for the sake of marriage is not only ḥarām (forbidden) but a major sin and a dangerous act in the sight of Shari‘ah.
② Apostasy and Its Grave Consequences in Islam
✘ If someone abandons Islam solely for marriage, hoping to return afterward, this is extremely perilous.
⚠ No one knows the moment of death — it is very possible that such a person may die in a state of apostasy.
✘ Shari‘ah strictly prohibits such acts and does not allow a Muslim to engage in such a gamble with his faith.
③ The Prophetic Warning:
نبی کریم ﷺ said:
“مَنْ بَدَّلَ دِينَهُ فَاقْتُلُوه“
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 4351)
“Whoever changes his religion (i.e., leaves Islam), kill him.”
This Hadith demonstrates the seriousness of apostasy and the gravity of leaving Islam, even if temporarily.
④ Punishment for Apostasy Under Islamic Governance
✔ In a state governed by Islamic law, a person who abandons Islam and adopts another religion becomes liable to the death penalty.
✘ Such an act tarnishes the honor and sanctity of Islam, and falls under the category of deception and manipulation of religion.
⑤ Deception in Faith Is Prohibited
✘ To leave Islam temporarily for marriage, and then plan to revert afterward, is a deceitful strategy and an act of religious fraud.
✘ There is no legitimate Islamic ruling that allows this behavior.
⚠ No Mufti or scholar will ever issue a fatwa permitting apostasy under any circumstance.
✅ Conclusion:
The act of leaving Islam for marriage and then re-embracing it is strictly forbidden, a major sin, and a serious transgression.
Such a path is filled with grave risks, both in this world and the hereafter, and is completely rejected in Shari‘ah.
