Girl converting before marriage

Question:

Asak. I am facing a big problem. In fact my entire family is. One of my brother w ants to marry a non muslim girl( hindu). We have told them she will have to accept islam. She is ready for that but she wants to hide it from her father who thinks its not necessary. We have explained to our brother many times to wind up everything but he seems adamant due to which we also have to accept this but o nly on the condition that she accepts and follows islam. There are many things I can't tell my brother and he too is blinded. I have tried explaining everything to him. We met the girl. She is too scared to tell her father but we have told her that s he should inform her father so that there is no confusion later and we will live in India where anything can happen. We dont want enemity with anyone. I just dont know what to do? What should we do? Ofcourse any father will not accept it (to change religion easily)How should we make him understand? Or how should I make my brother wind up everything. We were one happy and respectable family but I feel very sad about the entire thing. Jazak Allah khair. Answer: ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The girl should accept Islam without delay. In order for a person to become a Muslim they must affirm with the heart and attest with the tounge. If a person merely says they are Muslim to get married but their beliefs are contrary to the tenets of Islam, then they would not be considered Muslim. Hence, the girl should be taught the fundamental beliefs of Islam and accept genuinely. It is best to make the conversion clear from the outset because if she hides her faith, perhaps her family would expect her to partake in Hindu customs and rituals. However, if she strongly feels her family would harm her (considerably, e.g. physically hurting her, etc.) should they come to know of her conversion, then she may conceal her faith and inform them when the time is right. Notwithstanding, it is necessary that she avoids all of their unislamic practices.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham