Section 5.10: He Expects Me to Convert to Islam
Kajol says:
I am in a bit of confusion right now. I have been seeing a Muslim Egyptian man for the past 5 years. He has been good to me and now says he wants to marry me. I have met his family and friends and he has met mine. However, I am Hindu and he is Muslim. I need some advice on whether or not I should marry him as he expects me to convert to Islam and also any children we have in the future will be Muslims. Please help. Many thanks. —Kajol
Admin says:
Hi Kajol,
There are all types of Muslims and it is difficult to generalize. However, find out if your Muslim boyfriend is tolerant or intolerant type.
Since he clearly told you that he wants you to be a Muslim (take shahadah oath), it tells that he is intolerant type. So are you looking forward to a life like Chitra’s? Like Chitra (not by her choice!), are you willing to leave your mom, dad, brother, sister, cousins, uncles, aunts, and all your Hindu friends? Are you willing to start your new Muslim life with your new Muslim relatives and potentially move back to Egypt?
The shahadah will be a turning point for your life. Though he will tell you that “I did not know this coming,” “Do it to please my dad,” “Do it for the heck of it” or whatever, shahadah will change everything for you. Apparently, converting you to Islam is more important for him than your love. If you say no to shahadah, will he walk away from your life without any hesitation? Are you in a love-trap by a love-jihadi?
The shahadah is a one-way street. Check the latest Egyptian laws of apostasy. Remember it is applicable even after your husband has 4 wives or after your talaak (divorce). Read what Alkaff has to say, “Do not revert into a kufr and you will be killed if you are found out! You should not mix with your kufr (Hindu) family anymore.” Are you ready for this?
Also check Egyptian laws for divorce initiated by a woman and a kafir Hindu’s chance of winning their Muslim children’s custody after divorce.
Tell him that you will never take the 2 minutes of shahadah oath, but instead you will be a better Muslim than most other Muslims by following all Islamic traditions: eat only Halal food, perform namaz five times a day, put on a vale for a mosque visit on Fridays and fast during Ramadan. Find out if the shahadah labeling or you practicing a good Muslim life (but without the label of shahadah) is important for him.
In the past, Hindus had a bad practice of caste system where the label counted more than what that person did or how much that person contributed to this world. Mahatma Gandhi worked hard and tried hard to eradicate this system. Why would one want to endorse a new type of caste system where one religion is superior over all others?
Muslims believe that if you take the shahadah oath and convert to Islam, Allah will send you to heaven. Alternatively, Christians believe if you take that dip in water and are baptized, Jesus will remove all your sins and you will be salvaged. Likewise, Jews will not rest till the interfaith child gets the bris and bar mitzvah label. Isn’t it your karma, not a label that will decide your fate?
Why did he not ask for the religious conversion during the past 5 years of your romantic relationship? Ask your Muslim boyfriend to explain what religious conversion has to do with your love?
Let a carnation be a carnation, don’t convert it to a rose! Tell him that you are a Hindu and will die as a Hindu. Ask him to show his true love for you and marry a “Hindu” Kajol. —Admin
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