🧭 Preparation & choosing a spouse · #23

My future husband/wife does not pray. Should I marry them?

Abandoning prayer is a major sin; it is better not to proceed with the marriage until they have truly changed, because religion is the primary criterion for a spouse.
Prayer is the pillar of religion and the clearest sign of a person's relationship with Allah. A husband is responsible for leading his family towards good (at-Tahrim 66:6), while a wife is the children's first educator. Do not marry hoping to "change them after the wedding" — the change must be proven before the akad. Legally, in the Shafi'i school the marriage remains valid so long as they are Muslim, but the happiness and blessing of the home are seriously affected. Advise them with wisdom and pray istikharah.

Differences between the schools. Some Hanbali scholars hold that deliberately abandoning prayer amounts to disbelief, which then affects the validity of the marriage; the majority (including the Shafi'i school) regard such a person as sinful (fasiq) as long as they do not deny its obligation.

Sources

Sahih al-Bukhari 5090Surah at-Tahrim 66:6Surah Taha 20:132

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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