Can a Non-Binary Muslim Marry a Non-Muslim?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
As a non-binary Muslim engaged to a non-believer, I’m conflicted about marrying them given my renewed commitment to Islam. Can I reconcile this relationship with my faith, considering my partner’s reluctance to convert?
Answer
Thank you for your question. I feel I don’t have enough details to answer your question, as I don’t know your gender at birth.
Commitment to Islam
However, I can assure you that your renewed commitment to Islam is a gift from Allah (Most High) and that you should follow that instinct fervently.
I don’t encourage you to marry someone who will stand in the way of that. Our Lord requires sacrifice from us, and He has made His religion aligned with our fitra (innate nature) so that we can feel when something is right or wrong. By Allah’s mercy, the reward will be worth every pain, hardship, and suffering, and you will never regret it.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“When Allah created Paradise and Hell, He sent Jibril, peace be upon him, to Paradise and said: ‘Look at it and at what I have prepared for its people in it.’ He looked at it, then returned and said: ‘By Your Glory, no one will hear of it, but he will enter it.’ So He commanded that it be surrounded by hardships and said: ‘Go and look at it and what I have prepared for its people in it.’ He looked at it and saw that hardships had surrounded it. He (Jibril) said: ‘By Your Glory, I fear that no one will enter it.’ He (Allah) said: ‘Go and look at the Fire and what I have prepared for its people in it.’ So he looked at it, and parts of it were piled upon other parts. He returned and said: ‘By Your Glory, no one will enter it.’ So He commanded that it be surrounded with pleasures and said: ‘Go and look at it.’ So he looked at it and saw that treats surrounded it. He came back and said: ‘By Your Glory, I fear that no one will be saved from it and all will enter it.’” [Muslim]
Marriage
Marriage is a solemn covenant as described in the Quran, and I encourage you to take a course to learn your rights and obligations according to Allah and His Messenger.
It is incumbent on you to go in prepared and realize the weighty responsibility of it all, especially when children become involved. I urge you to make heartfelt dua to your Lord in the depth of the night and ask Him to guide you to where He wants you to go, to whom you should be with, and to plant you in the best situation for your body, mind, and soul.
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“The supplication of any of you is answered as long as he does not get impatient and say, ‘I made supplication and was not answered.’” [Bukhari; Muslim]
Please see these links as well:
- What Is the Ruling on Calling Transgender and Non-binary People by Their Preferred Pronouns?
- Non-binary Muslim Convert
- Is It Permissible to Identify as Non-binary or Agender?
- Can a Woman Marry a Non-Binary Person?
- Important Traits to Look for in a Prospective Spouse
- Marriage in Islam
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied ‘aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
