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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 4) Q 90: Muslim Husband, Christian Wife What is the proper way to divorce a wife who is a Christian? The marriage was performed according to Christian rites when both husband and wife were Christian. Now the husband has become Muslim but the wife does not want to follow him into the fold of Islam. (Asked by an American Shi'a) A.

According to Shi'a Shari'ah if a Jew or Christian is married to a wife of the same faith, and the husband becomes a Muslim but the wife does not convert to his religion and retains her religion, then the marriage continues; there is no need for divorce. Of course, he should bring up the children in Islamic faith and should not leave them to become Jew or Christian. Also, he should make the wife abstain from liquor and pork. I hope this explanation solves your problem.

Of course, in the opposite case when the wife becomes Muslin and the husband remains Christian or Jew, the wife will separate from the husband at once, and start an 'Iddah of 3 months. If within this period the husband becomes converted to Islam the couple may rejoin and the previous marriage remains valid.If he does not become a Muslim in this period then the wife, at the expiry of these 3 months, may marry another man. Q91.

ON BIRTH CONTROL According to "fatwa" of our late Mujtahid, Mohsin Al-Hakiim contraception (birth control) is allowed on three conditions, viz. If both partners agree, if it does no harm to eitner, and if it does not affect the child (if it is born). Recently, Rabetat al-Alam al-lslami (Muslim World League), put out a "Fatwa" that birth control is forbidden in Islam.

This view is also held by Abul A'la Maududi: the Muslim scholar of Pakistan (see his book 'Birth Control' published by Islamic Publication Ltd. Lahore); also S. V. Meer Ahmed Ali in the translation of the Holy Qur'an states that birth control is forbidden in Islam. I should be grateful if you could please provide me from Ahadith and Qur'an, to support the view that birth control is allowed in Islam. A.

Birth control, as a principle is well-accepted in Islamic jurisprudence since the very beginning. Arabs used to prevent unwanted pregnancies by withdrawing the organ at the time of ejaculation. It is called 'Azl in Arabic, which in medical parlance termed Citus interruptes and it is allowed in Islam. There are traditions by at least 10 companions that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) allowed it or did not object to it.