Q: I was a Christian but now I converted to Muslim. I am living with a girl I didn’t marry. I know its a big sin to commit zinaa but I did not have money to marry my woman who is a Muslim. My question is, can I still pray my five times salat in this situation?
A: Sincerely repent to Allah Ta’ala for living with this woman in haraam all this while and immediately make nikaah with her.
For the nikaah to take place, it is not necessary to have an elaborate function. Rather, after the nikaah is performed in the musjid, you may invite a few of your friends for tea and biscuits or feed them some savouries with the intention of waleema.
The five daily salaah are fard and should never be omitted at any time. Foregoing salaah is a major sin and severe warnings have been sounded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith for the person who foregoes his salaah.
Even if one is living in sin he should still perform his salaah. It does not mean that if one is involved in haraam, then he should also neglect all his other deeni obligations.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)