Вопрос имаму

If I got your original question right, I think you said you were a Christian and was in a close relationship with a Muslim man. Does that close relationship mean that you have been engaging in sexual intercourse outside marriage? If that is the case, you have apparently committed a sin and it is the responsibility of both of you to repent to Allah and turn a new page in your life. You do not need to discuss your sinful act or mistake with anyone. It is between you and your Lord and He is always ready to forgive you if He wills. However, if you become a Muslim, all your previous sin would be automatically forgiven and your record will be as clean as the day you were born. It is then left to your man to also repent to Allah. If you really love each other, you can still marry. The verse you mentioned (Suratul-Maidah, verse 5) goes thus: This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers. (Qur'an 5:5) It is clearly stated here that Christian and Jewish women are lawful for Muslim men to marry. That does not mean that the normal procedure should be ignored. The dowry still has to be paid and the requirements for mutual consent, male guardian and 2 witnesses still stand. If you have come together through any other procedure, that marriage is invalid. You still need to regularise the irregular aspects by cross-checking everything together. If there is something that is unclear, please see a local imam or an Islamic scholar near you for clarification. Sit down with brother and discuss how you can correct the mistakes as soon as possible. If he is owing you the sadaq (dowry), tell him what you want and get it sorted. If you have not been able to get the consent of your guardian, try and do so and make sure you have at least 2 witnesses to testify to your union. I ask Allah to guide you and me aright and to forgive you and me for error we might have committed both in relation to this matter and other matters.