Malaysian constitution grants freedom of religion and makes it officially a Secular State, while establishing Islam as the “religion of the Federation” to symbolize its importance to Malaysian society (Wiki). Malaysia is a good example as a representative of one of moderate Muslim majority countries. Interfaith love with a Malay (definition below) is one of the most popular themes at InterfaithShaadi (category). The question raised below by Davit is a typical question by most youths.
Sameer says: March 18, 2016
My fiancee is a Chinese Malaysian (non-Muslim) and I am (non-Malaysian) Muslim. I don’t want my fiancee to convert (to Islam). What are our chance to marry in Singapore and apply for a long term visa in Malaysia? What will happen if I said I am not Muslim? –Davit
It gave great pain to InterfaithShaadi to disclose to these innocent lovers that only option left for them is to give up this love relationship or unwillingly convert the non-Muslim intended spouse to Islam if they want to settle in Malaysia. Lets look at Malaysian marriage laws to understand the complexity here.
In Malaysia, the Federal Constitution is supreme and the freedom of religion is something that is guaranteed by the constitution under Article 11. When it comes to Family Law (namely marriage), there are two primary statutes, Law Reform (marriage and divorce) Act 1976 (Civil Marriage) and Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 (Muslim Marriage). The Civil Marriage Act of 1976 specifically states, “This Act shall not apply to a Muslim.” Hence, in Malaysia there is no means for a Muslim to marry a non-Muslim under the Civil law. In fact, the Muslim who goes through a marriage or even cohabits with non-Muslim runs the risk of falling foul of a number of offences under State Syariah (the Malay spelling of “Sharia”) Criminal Law prohibiting fornication (zina) and close proximity (khalwat; See Koran 24:30 below).
A Muslim must register their marriage under Islamic Family Law Act 1984. A marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims is prohibited under Islamic law (see Koran 2:221 below), except in certain limited circumstances. A Muslim Man is allowed to marry a Kitabayah (People of Book). A Kitabayah is a Christian woman whose ancestors were Christians before the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad; or a Jewess whose ancestors were Jews before the prophet-hood of Jesus. With many other restrictions in place, in most cases, the non-Muslim needs to convert to Islam to register a marriage in Malaysia.
It is said that there is no compulsion in Islam (Koran 2:256), but here in all practical senses interfaith couples must know that there is compulsion to convert or give up the love.
Parallel to the civil courts, there are Syariah Courts that conduct legal matters related to Muslim family sphere. Legal issues like Muslim divorce and Muslim apostasy are conducted in the Syariah Courts. Syariah laws do not apply to non-Muslims.
Malaysian citizens are given an identity card (MyKad), of which Muslims’ MyKad states religion as “Islam”. As stated above Muslim can marry only to a Muslim; this means the non-Muslim spouse must convert and make appropriate changes in the MyKad.
A marriage registered under the laws of a foreign country must be re-registered at the Malaysian Representative Office within 6 months of the date of marriage. If a couple having married outside Malaysia will not be able to register their Muslim to non-Muslim marriage in Malaysia and their children will not have benefit of Malaysian citizenship (read). If the Muslim/non-Muslim couple married overseas and comes to Malaysia, and someone called the authorities on them, the Syariah Authority will likely arrest the Muslim partner for zina and khalwat (since the marriage is not recognized in Malaysia; read).
It is important for an interfaith dating person to know that conversion to Islam is a one-way street. It is impossible to convert to any other faith for a Muslim. (read Muhammad below) Even it is impossible to change name in MyKad to a non-Muslim in Malaysia (read practicing Hindu Revathi Massosai’s case). A person having a Muslim registered name but practicing other faith has no right to marry but in Islam (read Zarinah’s case where a practicing Hindu was arrested for marrying a Hindu man). Even after years of practicing other faith, the Syariah Police will enforce that a former Muslim (even practicing other faith for most of later life) be given only Muslim final rites (read Mr. Moorthy case where a practicing Hindu’s body was taken away from his Hindu wife).
We feel Muslim majority countries apply interfaith marriage laws favoring Islam only and are unfair and unjust to others. To the best of our knowledge, there is not one non-Muslim majority country made interfaith marriage laws favoring only their non-Muslim majority. If it is a matter of following Koran, then any Muslim getting into a romantic love relationship before marriage should be severely punished for khalwat (did not lower his/her gaze; Koran 24:30). Malay government should do more to educate non-Muslim and Muslim youths about serious consequences after interfaith love. Interfaith dating youths have to do their home work and fully understand all legality and consequences of their actions.
References:
Malay: As defined by the Constitution of Malaysia, a Malay must be Muslim, regardless of their ethnic heritage; otherwise, legally, they are not Malay. (source)
Koran 24:30 Dr. Zakir Naik explained Koran (24:30) as when a Muslim man sees a woman the Muslim man has to “lower his gaze” and show his modesty.
Koran 2:221: You shall not wed pagan (idolaters) women, unless they embrace the Faith. A believing slave girl is better than an idolatress, although she may please you. Also the Malaysian Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984- Section 10, Persons of other religions, states: (1) No man shall marry a non-Muslim except a Kitabiyah and (2) No woman shall marry a non-Muslim.
Muhammad said, “Whoever changes his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 9.84.57). Read more here and here. Even a former non-Muslim’s marriage with a Muslim ends with him uttering talaak, talaak, talaak, the divorcee has no right to marry a non-Muslim later in life.
Miss Revathi Massosai was born to Muslim converts and given a Muslim name, but she was raised as a Hindu by her grandmother and has always practiced Hindu faith. However, under Malaysia’s Islamic law, having Muslim parents makes one a Muslim and, as such, one is not allowed to change one’s faith or marry a non-Muslim. But Miss Massosai married a Hindu man in 2004 and the couple has a young daughter. When in January 2007 she asked a court to officially designate her as a Hindu she was detained and taken to an Islamic rehabilitation center. Her detention was twice extended to six months, during which time she says religious officials tried to make her pray as a Muslim and wear a headscarf. She is adamant that she will remain a Hindu. In the meantime, Miss Revathi and her daughter have been placed in the custody of her Muslim parents.
Zarinah had Hindu father and mother. Later the father converted to Islam and changed children’s name to Islamic, but in all practical matters Zarinah was raised as Hindu. Now she decided to marry her Hindu lover, but Malaysian police came and arrested her in the middle of the Hindu wedding. Zarinah said there was a possibility that she could be charged with insulting Islam if the problem was not solved quickly.
Moorthy, a Malaysian mountaineering hero, was buried as a Muslim, against the wishes of his Hindu wife, who denied he had converted to Islam before his death. The decision follows a Malaysian High Court ruling that it cannot override the country’s Islamic Courts in matters of religious conversion. An Islamic Syariah Court subsequently upheld a claim by his former colleagues in the army that he had become a Muslim last year. However his family, who want him to have a Hindu funeral, were not allowed to appear before the court to dispute his conversion because they are not Muslims. The family went to the civil court and argued that Mr. Moorthy was a practicing Hindu. They say he was even interviewed for local television two months ago about his preparations for the Hindu festival of Diwali. But the High Court agreed with government lawyers who argued the Civil Court had no jurisdiction.
A must watch video for any once considering marriage with a Muslim:
Marriage and Divorce Laws,
Australian marriages in Indonesia,
A Hindu cannot marry a Malaysian Muslim,
Indian marriage laws,
DON’T Fake-convert (focus on Malaysia laws),
Koran on Hindus?,
Sharis Laws that all non-Muslims should know,
A Hindu cannot marry a Malaysian Muslim,
Singapore marriage laws,
Indian marriage laws,
Islamic Nikaah without conversion is not possible,
InterfaithShaadi does not recommend this: I am in Singapore and married to a Muslim without conversion,
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Iam christian women and my bf [real father non muslim] is muslim follow his step father religion . If we want married and i dont wan to convert to muslim what shud i do. shud i let go and dont wan be with him ?
Reply at https://interfaithshaadi.org/?p=15103
After reading all this, I am tired.. Humans are dispersed by religions. I believe Religions made to guide people not to separate them.
Mostly the problem take place, “when a boy or girl decided to choose his/her life partner by his/her own wishes and they following different beliefs(religions)”. We have to accept that a Muslim is not allowed to choose his/her life partner as his/her wish if the life partner is not Muslim. That point should be added in Koran so that every Muslim will come to their senses. Seems only parents has to decide a Muslim’s life partner; I am not sure.
What if a muslim in Malaysia goes to another country (i.e Singapore) and get a citizenship there in Singapore first, then convert to a christian in Singapore? Then return to Malaysia as a Christian?
I am wondering if :
1. It is possible to convert to a christian in Singapore upon obtaining citizenship there?
2. Same as 1 but without Citizenship?
3. Return to Malaysia as a Christian?
4. Get married to a Christian in Malaysia and being able to Register the Marriage?
5. What is your status (religion) in Malaysia, if you are already a christian in another Country by law?
6. Dual citizenship is not allowed in Malaysia, if you choose to be a Singapore citizen and then wanted to come back to Malaysia again as?
P/s : I am in an interfaith relationship as well in Malaysia. I was born muslim. My mother was a christian before she converted to Muslim to marry my father. But She was blinded by love and would do what ever it takes to be married to my father even when deep inside, she loves her religion so much too. I was raised by my grandmother who is a Christian and I fell in Love. I see no wrong and difference in both religion as both guided us to be a better person and to believe in the one and only god that created us. Im sorry if Im wrong but i believe that god is one but people got their own ways of reaching to God. Thats all. Therefore I dont mind converting as I know that I would still be a believer of god just in different ways.
They said when there is a will, there is a way. Been together for 7 years and I know that I have found the one. But it is impossible to convert to Christian in Malaysia. And I would not forced the love of my life to convert just for the sake of marriage. However, I do want to fight for our relationship yet still be at our home country. Fleeing to another country would be simple but there is no better place than home where all your other loves one at. You wouldn’t want to be far from your family and friends. They are equally important too. Therefore, Im trying to find the best means for us to be together. I dont believe that I should let go of the person who loves me and whom I love very much and wants to spent the entire life with just because the system says so. I believe that we are all equal and all religions are beautiful and there is no need to discriminate one another. I just dont get why we can’t be together just because we have different faith and culture. I will not give up on us, but I am near to a dead end and desperately need help. I look forward to your respond. Thank you very much.
Reply at https://interfaithshaadi.org/?p=13029
In my understanding of the “Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 (Muslim Marriage)”, 1 § restricts its application only to federal territories, that is Kuala Lumpur and Labuan. There seem to be separate Islamic Family Laws to each state, so these should be consulted before judging, whether and by what law, a mixed marriage may be impossible.
hi!
i’m a filipino muslim and my bf is a malaysian catholic. does he has to convert so that we can get married in malaysia? if i will convert to catholic before coming to malaysia, will we have any problem in our marriage?
Your answer will be of great help. Thank you.
Hi Ameerah,
Malay government mainly cares about locals but after marriage, you will become local. For this reason, this issue will come back again any time later in life.
Converting to Christianity before hands and present yourself as 100% Christian can solve all your problems. Do you have good documents (birth certificate, passport, etc) to show you as Christian? If you are a foreigner Christian marring to a local Christian will not be any issue.
Dear admin,
I am from Singapore. Please help me. I am a christian who is interested in marrying my boyfriend who is a muslim. We have been together for almost 3 years now. However, his parents are very religious and i do not know how to go about with our marriage.
1) I know that in Singapore we can register under the civil marriage, does this mean that there is no need for conversion?
2) Is it true that if something bad happens to my “husband’s” my future children will automatically belong to my “husband’s” family?
3) If we register under the civil marriage, is it still necessary to do the muslim certification?
Please advise me on this. Thank you.
Reply at https://interfaithshaadi.org/?p=11512
I beg to disagree when you said Jesus was send only for the israeli that’s why we should very careful in analyzing the bible and be guided by the holy spirit because even satan utter verses frm the bible to deceive people. John 3:16 says “For God so love the World that he gave his only begotten son that Whosoever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Read between the line whosoever believe he is not exclusive for israel and also in Matthew 28 while he is going up alive in heaven he command his disciple to preach the gospel throughout the earth.while it is true that israel is God chosen nation but in the bible they are countless time that their turn their heart away from God and do what other pagan nation do that God hates that is why because of blood of Jesus the gentiles now have a chance to be save.
Dear Admin,
I’m a Malaysian muslim girl who wants to get married with my non muslim boyfriend in Spain and decide to stay there and not coming back to Malaysia.I did some research and one of the requirements to get married in Spain by civil marriage is to provide the single status certificate.
My question is, can a muslim apply for the single status certificate in Malaysia? because I’ve heard that it’s only for non muslim. Please help.Thank you.
Reply at https://interfaithshaadi.org/?p=12149
fucking cuntry ,fucking law .all is human man ,tat noting to islam
Its game over for you YC! You took a stupid decision & you will regret! separation is the only way, there is “Entry” in Islam but no “exit”!
And, what if ur partner chooses to stay with his/her original religion even aft u educate him/her abt islam? U hv only 3 choices: convert him/her by force OR give up on d relationship OR settle down somewhere else and dont register your marriage in msia. Thats all. Theres no in between. Do u think its fair to d non muslims? Be open minded and think. Put urself in our shoes.
Thats why i said na, “A real muslim cant fall in love with non muslims” but its compulsory for muslims to educate non muslim , to invite/give dawah to islam
Allah says in Surah Al Asr 103:1-3
“By the Time. Indeed! Man is in a loss.Except those who have faith and do good works and encourage one another to Truth and encourage one another to patience”
now dont ask does it permissble to do dawah for muslim man to non muslim women or vice versa?
no , its not permissible in islam, because they should lower their gaze
Dear YC, we are reading all yours and Muhammed’s post with interest. On your point ” fair to d non muslims,” Islam does not care what others think. This whole world has to be converted to Islam (meaning only Sunni).
Actually what mac and Muhammed is telling you is 100% truth. Now tell us what you learned about Islam from your boy friend?
Thats my point! Islam doesn’t care wat others think and their purpose is to convert the whole world into islam and makes everyone muslim. To me, islam is a selfish, self centred & ego religion. Thats it. Btw, I wont wana knw more abt something I dont like and yes, I dont like islam.
You said you are in love with a Muslim guy. What does he says about Islam? How are you planning to conduct a Buddhist-Muslim marriage and raise children in two faiths (or only Buddhist?)?
I love dat person doesnt mean I hv to like his religion as well. Luckily hes unlike those radical muslims who thinks islam is d best n bla bla bla. He didnt force me to study abt islam and he didnt tell me anything abt islam too, not without me asking. To be honest, many malay muslims in msia dont like being muslims and they never follow wat islam teaches ie no alcohol, no sex before marriage, no dogs & etc. They r not happy being muslims but they got no choice cz this is msia and msia will never allow murtad.
Who says I cant do it? My kids (if any) can learn abt anything they want, theres no limit in my future family, this includes religion. I will expise then to all religions, be it buddhism, hinduism, christianity or even islam. I will let them to embrace d religion that they wan without pressure cz dats wat I call the real freedom of religion.
Can you read the Malay laws that we wrote above. We never have been to M.asia and hope you will correct us if we made any mistake. Now tell us how will you marry a Muslim and register your marriage with Malay authority? When you have children, in their MyKad at their adult age, do they have to have “religion=Islam” because their father is a Muslim? Lets only talk laws here and not personal wishes. This will help us understand laws there. Thanks.
Sister, Fine if you dont like Islam then alright but dont blame Islam without any knowledge. .
You dont like Islam but you like a guy who follows Islam. .wow !! sister when u said u dont like his religion then why u want to marry that Guy? you already has gone astray then why u are pushing to him away from truth?
U r funny! I hv to like & accept his religion in order to marry a guy? Thats ridiculous & bullshit. Wats more important is his personality, attitude, heart & not his religion. So wat if hes a muslim but he does all kinds of bad things jz like ISIS? do u think ill still marry him? Of course not, u idiot!
U may refer to d answer above. Im too lazy to type it here all over again.
Mohammad, I dont think u get d point.
It is d fault of people who make such law and in this case it is d gov. Of course we blame d gov for such unfair law. There r certain muslims who thought islam is d most superior above all religions and other religions r bullshit, ie they said we d buddhists pray to statues bcz we hv sculptures of God at our homes. Islam teaches u to educate ur partner so he/she is prepared to convert and not to convert him/her by force but islam doesnt teach u to FORCE people to convert by force eith such laws. Am I right? All God are good but it is d people who make d religions look ugly & bad. There is nothing wrong for such strict believer like u to protect ur religion but not following it blidnly. Did u even study ur quran correctly? Which sentence in d quran dat says a real muslim doesnt fall in love with non muslim? Muslims r humans too and u can control/deny ur feelings, u can only give up on d relationship.
Sadly there is too many people here who doesn’t read or havr enough education to judge. Im muslim and no one will take it from me nor you we humans shall die and ve judged nor we judge others. Our prophet says never force someone to convert to islam. Please people. My fiancée dont know nothing about islam. How can i make her convert? Is it fair? This need time confidence and more more. Then even thou. It her choise. Islam is very logical religions. Dont tend to listen to wrongful source.
Bro, Does islam permit to keep relationship to non mehram(wheather it will be muslim/non muslim)?
I agree that forcing some one is prohibited in islam. .but you indirect compling her to accept islam
Sameer,
We get many youths like you asking relating to laws in Malaysia. We do not live in Malaysia but we wrote it based on what we learned from different web sites and from people like you. Can you review above article and point to us that is not correct. While helping us, it will also help you learn more. This way, it will be a win-win for all. We hope you will help us and work with us, thanks.
Your information which was made by you is completey wrong..
Its the fault of people who are not following their religion not the religion itself nor the country…
Mohammed,
Did Sameer (Muslim) followed his religion (the girl is pregnant now)?
If Christian majority Greece makes a new law that any one marries to a Christian, must convert to Christianity (and the same apply to those who wish to go there as a refugee). Will that make other Muslim happy? Will you not blame Greece for not being fair to others?
Some day soon in India, Germany and France there will be 60% Muslim population. Do you think Muslims will also make laws similar to as in Malaysia in those three countries and make all non-Muslim to convert when they fall in love with a Muslim?
In our prophet time. He had never force someone to convert. You dont even have right to judge in islam. We will be judged alone each of us. Not by group. Khadija wasn’t muslim.
My information is not wrong.
Conversion is by heart not on papers.
I know many malaysian people coverted just because of marriage. So thr country pushing for only fake Muslims. Happy for that? Isn’t worse?
We agree to you “So the (Malaysia) country pushing for only fake Muslims.” People have to pick religion based on its merit, not due to laws. We are glad all (?) non-Muslim countries are offering options to the couple and not compelling them to do wrong.
Hi mac, Muhammad and Ahmed, can you search and update us for “To the best of our knowledge, there is not one non-Muslim majority country made interfaith marriage laws favoring only their non-Muslim majority”, thanks.
Its their well and wish to those they want to marry.. There are few contries who fovour interfaith marriages like india. .
It is not “Its their well and wish to those they want to marry”, but there is compulsion to convert or give up love. Very sad!
Its ur misconception…A true muslim doesnt fall in love with non muslim. .
Is mac a true Muslim?
U are a complete idiot and servant to ur ideology. Please open ur mind. Else u will waste ur one life u have got.Be happy mahnn. And read few books by Richard Dawkins or few speeches by Christopher Hitchens. Not only that read some confusion, Buddhist teachings, or bhagawat Gita or Bible. U will understand the greatness of all other religions. In that way u will think logical not vomiting something from ur book. Be happy mahnn.