How to Balance Faith and Marriage After Migrating to a Muslim Country?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

We moved to Pakistan to raise our daughters in an Islamic environment. They are practicing Muslims but struggle to find suitable spouses who can support a family without needing to work. Most eligible men have moved abroad, and if they marry overseas, their children might face the same challenges we wanted to avoid.

My wife refuses to return to the West, and our daughters don’t want to leave her behind. What should we do?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Firstly, your move to Pakistan is a sincere effort to protect your family’s values. I pray Allah Most High rewards you in this world and the Next, fulfills all your aspirations and duas, and removes your worries. Amin.

Expand but Filter the Search

Consider candidates from within Pakistan, but from less prominent circles, such as scholars, professionals in Islamic organizations, or those connected with trustworthy masajid or seminaries.

Seek help from reputable matchmakers or ulema networks to vouch for a candidate’s character. Consider practicing men abroad who are willing to return or relocate to Pakistan.

Dua (Supplication)

Turn to Allah with sincere and heartfelt duas. Ask Him for guidance, direction, and relief from your difficulties. Allah is the Turner of hearts. Through prayer and duas, one can find solace and solutions to challenges.

Since your family is mature and your children are grown, sit together, discuss, and explore options. Guidance often comes gradually through sincere dua. Involve the family in prayer of need and istikhara, asking Allah to open a path that preserves faith and unity.

Your move to Pakistan is a sincere effort to protect your family’s Islamic values. I pray Allah Most High rewards you in this world and the Next, fulfills all your aspirations and duas, and removes your worries. Amin.

I would like you to read through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.

Related

• Migration
• How Does One Perform the Prayer of Need (Salat al-Haja)?—SeekersGuidance
• Prayer of Need and Guidance

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.