Source: Fatawa Aman Puri by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Aman Puri
Question:
If a Christian woman converts to Islam, does her marriage to her Christian husband remain valid?
Answer:
When a Christian woman converts to Islam, she should invite her Christian husband to Islam. If he accepts, their marriage remains valid, and there is no need for a renewal of the marriage contract. If he refuses, she will exit the marriage with the Christian, as it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man. After observing one menstrual cycle of waiting, she can marry someone else.
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
خطب أبو طلحة أم سليم، فقالت: والله ما مثلك يا أبا طلحة يرد، ولكنك رجل كافر، وأنا امرأة مسلمة، ولا يحل لي أن أتزوجك، فإن تسلم فذاك مهري وما أسألك غيره، فأسلم فكان ذلك مهرها قال ثابت: فما سمعت بامرأة قط كانت أكرم مهرا من أم سليم الإسلام، فدخل بها فولدت له
Abu Talha proposed to Sayyida Umm Sulaim (may Allah be pleased with her), and she said: "By Allah! A person like you cannot be rejected, but you are a disbeliever, and I am a Muslim woman. It is not permissible for me to marry you. If you become a Muslim, then this will be my dowry, and I will not ask for anything more." Abu Talha accepted Islam, and thus, his conversion became the dowry of Sayyida Umm Sulaim (may Allah be pleased with her). Thabit says: "I have not heard of any woman's dowry being as valuable as that of Umm Sulaim (may Allah be pleased with her), meaning she received Islam as her dowry." Sayyiduna Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) established marital relations with her, and a child was born in the house of Sayyida Umm Sulaim (may Allah be pleased with her).
Reference: (Sunan an-Nasa'i: 3341, and its chain is good)
This narration has been authenticated by Imam Ibn Hibban
Reference: (7187)
and Hafiz Dhiya al-Maqdisi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (al-Mukhtarah: 426)
. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared its chain to be authentic.
Reference: (Fath al-Bari: 115/9)
