I am a Shia woman who comes from a very religious family. However I am in love with a Sunni man and would like to marry him. Should I teach him about Shia Islam and enlighten him as to allow him to convert? Or should I instead end everything with him?

Sunni-Shi'a Marriage

I am a Shia woman who comes from a very religious family. However I am in love with a Sunni man and would like to marry him. Should I teach him about Shia Islam and enlighten him as to allow him to convert? Or should I instead end everything with him?

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Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 4 years ago

Fiqh-wise, it is allowed to marry a Sunni man.

However, perhaps there is some truth to the saying: Women marry men hoping they will change, and men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed.

Also, sometimes love is about how we imagine a person might be ideally, instead of who they actually are. So it might be your ideal that he will accept this path if only he knows about it, but what he will actually do or care about on a day to day level may be different from your ideal, because at the end of the day, people are real people and not our ideals of them or how we think they should be. This is in addition to the pull of family ties (blood kin).

Of course some people do engage in religious conversion or conversion of school of thought after meeting a significant other, and it's always good to share what one believes to be the truth.

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 years ago

If he understands and accepts following Ahlul Bayt (AS) just like all the followers of Ahlul Bayt (AS), and you are sure that he will not leave the faith, then you can go ahead with your marriage plans with him, but if you or him are not sure then you should avoid such idea which can endanger your future.
Wassalam.

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

That is very good that you come from a religious family, and as a religious person you know what your obligations are.

In our Shi'i fiqh, it is permissible to marry anyone from other Islamic sects, as long as you are free to keep your Shi'i identity and uphold your Shi'i practices. You do not necessarily need to convert him to becoming a Shi'i, as this is something that comes from within.

It is his choice, if he is interested in learning about Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), and following the Imams (a.s.), or not, as long as he does not harbour hatred to the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

Something that you must keep in mind is his surroundings, and those influencing him. In some cases, the husband/wife might be neutral, or compliant, but then get negatively influenced by an extremist, or a Wahhabi, or a takfiri, and then this starts to have an impact on the marriage.

In early stages of life, he/she might not be that religious, but then after a while, they start to pick up on things, and condemn you for praying on soil, or mourning Imam Husain (a.s.), or wanting to go to Ziyarah, and so on.

This does happen, and so it is very important that both sides clarify everything and make sure there will be no sort of mistreatment based on sect.

Another thing that you must think of is because you are "in love", it might cloud your judgment as to whether you are making the right decision.

It is absolutely necessary that you consult with your parents, and also discuss things with your elders and family members, to make sure you have their consent, and also the decision you are making is the right decision. This should always be the case, whether the prospect spouse be Sunni, or Shi'i, or anything else.

So, if he has the positive requirements of a husband, and he meets all the conditions, along with your family's approval, then discuss that's a very good thing.

You can discuss topics related to Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), but it has to be his decision from within himself if he has the interest and wishes to learn more, or not. That must be his choice, and not something imposed on him.

With prayers for your success.

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