❀ Sharʿī Ruling on a Non-Muslim Woman Running Away and Accepting Islam ❀
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, Page 428
Question
What is the ruling regarding a woman who is a non-Muslim, runs away with a man, and then afterward accepts Islam?
✔ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
What kind of Islam is this — that a woman runs away with evil intent, falls into infatuation with someone, and then accepts Islam due to that passion? Allah ﷻ has no need for such an Islam. A ṣaḥīḥ ḥadīth states:
((فمن كانت هجرته إلى الدنيا يصيبها أو إمرأة ينكحها فهجرته إلى ما هاجر اليه.))
Kitāb, Ḥadīth no. 1
From this it is understood that if a person embraces Islam or undertakes a religious act solely for the purpose of marriage or worldly gain, then such faith and action are not valid.
◈ Islamic Guideline
In Islam, when disbelieving women come as converts, they are to be tested to see if they are truly sincere believers. Once it becomes clear that they are indeed genuine in faith, then Muslim men may marry them, as clarified in Sūrah al-Mumtaḥanah.
Further Clarification
- Such an Islam, motivated by worldly desire, is not valid.
- However, if after accepting Islam, the woman sincerely practices the Sharīʿah, she will not be sent back to the disbelievers but kept within the Muslim society.
- She must not immediately marry the man for whom she ran away.
- Both should remain apart for a significant period, repenting sincerely.
- After sufficient time, if a respected guardian (walī) performs a Sharʿī marriage, then the marriage will be valid.
⚠ Explanation of Wrong Practice
If a woman spends even one night in sin with a man and then marries him the next day, such a procedure is not permissible, as clearly outlined in the Qur’an and Sunnah. For reference, see Sūrah al-Nūr, Juzʾ 18, Rukūʿ 1, along with its tafsīr.
Hadhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
