My boyfriend is Muslim and to marry him I am told I must convert but don't want to so what do I do?

Answer 1

This may depend on where you live, and how much each of you is willing to compromise. Muhammad prohibited Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men, but countenanced Muslim men marrying non-muslim women. Nevertheless, in some Muslim countries you may have no choice. Remember that Barack Obama's father was Muslim, while his mother was Christian, so there is no absolute requirement for you to convert. Once again, it depends on where you live and how much you, your boyfriend and each family are willing to compromise.

Answer 2

He should convert to Islam on real belief in Islam and Islam teachings not just to get license to marry you. Advise him to read more about the true Islam and not to read the books biased against Islam and falsifying facts against Islam. Let him meet with real Muslims in a mosque or any Islamic center to understand better about Islam. Let him understand that Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance, good morals, respect to women, and true submission to God the one and only one God the Creator. In this case, may God help him and help you to get him convert to Islam and follow its rules.

Answer 3

It may not actually be necessary for you to convert if you are a Christian or a Jew, since it is permissible (according to Islam) for Muslim men to marry Christian or Jewish women. (If the family is amenable, you can definitely find jurisprudence on this issue on the internet.). Of course, in Western society, there are no religious bars to marriage, but this is probably not the issue.

However, if your boyfriend makes conversion a necessary requisite for marriage (in violation of Islamic Law on the subject), I find that to be asking someone to negotiate away a serious part of themselves for a romantic partner. It is a demonstration of failure to love what is and instead a desire to shape the other person's will. I find such an idea quite damaging to an emotional relationship, but you are free to make whatever decision your heart dictates to you.