One of my non-Muslim friend has by the Grace of Almighty has accepted Islam as righteous religion, he has not made a public announcement yet neither he has taken Oath or bait he has started praying salah and stopped practising hinduism for almost 2-3years. he was engaged to a hindu girl some years back and now his family has fixed his marriage on 28th of this month. He can not runaway from home as it will be harmful for his family (In past some of his relative converted to Islam and ran away which caused harmful for their family. He is studying for Chartered Accountancy and there are chance that he will get opportunity to settle in middle east but it will require 1-2 years. Now his question is that can he marry that hindu girl and try to convince him to accept Islam after marriage? will it be halal marriage for him? as he has not taken Oath? is taking Oath is necessary for becoming Muslim or he is now a Muslim as he studying Islam and praying salaah and avoiding shirk and haram? Please Guide us as soon as possible as his marriage is fixed on 28 June 2009
Answer:
(Fatwa: 1167/976=D/1430)
In order to become Muslim, it is sufficient to profess the major Islamic beliefs like believing in Allah, the hereafter and the last Prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) firmly and professing the same with tongue. There is no need to take oath or bai?at, but it is better to formally profess the same before any pious person or aalim.
(2) Unless the Hindu girl does not embrace Islam, he will not be allowed to marry her, rather the Nikah will not take place; therefore he should proceed to Nikah only after she converts wholeheartedly to Islam, otherwise he is feared to expose himself to severe trials and troubles.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband