Title: Marrying a Woman Before she Embraces Islam Question: I'm a Muslim and I'm from Pakistan. I have fallen in love with a foreign Christian girl. And I'm thinking of marrying her and before marriage she will embrace Islam. As we both live too far from each other. Is this fine if she is Christian till I met her and then she embrace Islam? Does age matter in marriage as she is older then me 1and half yrs? Is the marriage be conformed by both partners parents? As I don't think my parents will allow me to marry a foreign girl. So is there I can do anything for this problem. And till now my parents dont know about it but her parents do know it and they accept me. Please help me and thank you, I'm waiting for ur reply. Answer: Your answers are as follows: Yes. If she chose to remain Christian your marriage would still be valid. Age, so long as the person is cognizant of the situation, does not matter. Whether she is older or younger it is fine. Parents are culturally very important to marriage. However, from a religious point of view, they have no say as to who could or could not be married. For a marriage to be Islamically legal there must be two elements that need to be fulfilled; the agreement between both partners and the marriage must be made public. As for your parents, you should help them understand your situation. Speak to them with kindness and gentility and no matter how much they refuse honor them. You do not have to agree but you have to respect them. If you love a woman and both of you agree to be together then that is your God given right and no one can impede that. You know your parents best, however, common with all parents is eventually they soften up. Surely they love you and care for you so they want what is best. Keep this in mind when you approach them. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan June 5, 2005