Title: Marrying a Separated Woman Question: Im living almost 15 years in the uae and I studied here, when I started working in Dubai I had some colleges, working along with me, 1 Filipina become Muslim because I spoke to her about Islam, although I wasn't expecting that she will become Muslim, I was teaching her about our Islam now and often and she got books translated to tagalog (thanks to awkaf) . After that I felt that im in love with this lady, and I asked her to marry me ,coz I want every thing to be in halal ,now the thing that she was married 4 years back in philppines from a Christian man and they have been seperted, and I believe that the Muslim lady is not allowed to be with Christian and in our rules the marriage would be void, And now im thinking to go to Dubai court maybe after 2 month to marry her ill bring along with me 2 Muslim witness do u think im going to face any problems there I would be very grateful if u would advise me about it. And she already filed but it would take 5 years is it ok for her to had iddah coz she already had her menstrion plz advise Your faithfully. Answer: The conversion of the woman to Islam does not nullify her marriage. Her estranged husband is still legally her spouse. This is a legal matter and should not be ignored. Islam teaches Muslims to respect the laws that govern nations and people. Thus, the fact that an official divorce has not taken place disallows you from marrying her: she is still married. The proper procedure for the both of you to be married is to make sure she is divorced and then you may marry her when she becomes eligible. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan June 22, 2006