Title: Marriages of Convenience Question: Me and my husband have been married almost three years but after two years he grew impatient for his immigration papers to change his status, and returned home to his country and did not ask me to go with him. He said he would never live with me in his country and he had just married me for the papers. He says a lot of Arabic Muslim men do this and it is not against Islam. I have a lot to learn about Islam and to be a good Muslim. I say this is not right to do this to your wife but he says his intentions might not have been clear with me but were always clear in his heart and he did it to help his financial situation and god will not judge him for this. I have not found anything that applies to this in the Qur'an, is this against the Islam. Answer: In order for a marriage to be fulfilled in Islam the intentions and actions of the persons joining in matrimony must be genuine. However, in your case, though the marriage was not nullified due to your husband's deception, he still bears the burden of committing a moral sin. He used what God ordained as a natural union between man and woman to benefit his material goals. This is clearly and categorically against basic moral principles, which are more basic than any Shari`ah . Your husband is not in the least bit justified in his behavior and should worry about the consequences for betraying your trust and desecrating the sanctity of marriage. To excuse himself by invoking "Arab Muslim" men is pitiable to say the least. It does not matter who or how many persons do wrong, to follow their footsteps is neither a justification nor a religious certification of that wrong. If his intentions were clear to him but not you and he knowingly maintained this position then he was dishonest. If his financial concerns are greater than his responsibilities, not to mention another human being, then one cannot but allow the Almighty to deal with him. It is the arrogance and self-elevation for man to claim what God will do or not do, however, we know that God will deal with the wrongdoers. Indeed you have not found anything in Islam resembling his attitude or his misperceptions because Islam stands for truth and righteousness not deceit and greed. I may be of no comfort to you but I hope you may find solace with the Lord who will provide and care for you. Maintain your relationship with God and ask Him for guidance, insha'Allah, He will grant it to you. As for your husband it may be best to realize that the relationship has deteriorated because the foundation was weak on his part. May God give you guidance and help you through these inclement times. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan October 18, 2004