I am interested in a Muslim Man but Im a Maronite Catholic...?

Question

Hello everyone well I met a really nice man on Craigslist ( i know what your thinking, but dont) it kind of all started out as a joke for the both of us because we were both with friends just fooling around on the site. Well him and I started talking and he let me know he's from Detriot and he's now a federal agent in California. I really find him interesting and he sprung the news to me that he's Muslim. I strongly beleive in 1 God and my beleifs are strong as well as my whole family. I have always learned not to judge anyone but this is rough for me. He says he still practices Islam but he is always going down town and he drinks and he eats at Mexican restaraunts and such which from what little I know about Islam is there are strict regulations when i comes to meat.

Him and I are both Lebanese Americans which is rare finding in So Cali but I dont wanna let this one go. I respect his beleifs but I cant beleive the same things...any Suggestions?

Hi everyone its not an Internet only relashionship I recognized him because he has stopped me at the Border Patrol Checkpoint in the Desert on my way home a few times.

Answer 1

Salaam Alaykum,
Well at least you are both Lebanese. He is a man like any other. I doubt he expects you to run around in hi jab if he is a Federal Agent. It is legal for him to marry you. Do be careful of Craiglist. It can go any way only the future will tell and time spent...and do take awhile and don't be overzealous to jump in head first. Get to know him do a background check..not because he is Muslim but people on the Internet can lie and represent themselves as something they are not example married, wife, and kids. Good Luck and Best Wishes that it is truly a match. I eat in Mexican restaurants too and he was probably born in Dearborn, Michigan they have a high concentration of Muslims..he is probably very westernized and can clear up some myths about Islam..he doesn't appear to be a beard wearing Mullah. He is an American just like you.
Good Luck and Best Wishes. I also like Thai food and Italian.
no pork..I always ask. I doubt that every Muslim has their meals at halal restaurants every time they eat. We can bless our own food by stating Bismillah. He maybe not practicing
Islam either...it sounds doubtful if he is digging around Craiglist.
Wasalaam

Answer 2

I sincerely encourage both of you to study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses. There are Arabic congregation. There no images or icons of Saints, Jesus and Mary, Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the Bible and thus One God, the Christ Jesus is the messiah but not the same as his father. (They differ in position, power, role, age, and knowledge) -
(John 8:28; 1 Corinthians 3:23; 11:3; 15:24-28; Galatians 3:20; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 2:9; 1 John 4:12; Revelation 1:1, 2; 3:12, 14) – Compare: Matthew 20:20-23; 24:36; Mark 13:32; (Luke 18:18, 19*) John 14:28; Hebrews 5:5; 1 Peter 5:21. ((Deuteronomy 6:4 – Compare: Mark 12:29; Isaiah 48:11))

Studying the Bible helps a husband to love his wife, not viewing her as property, and treating as his own body not abusing. If you go to www.jw.org under the about us, section you find the nearest Kingdom Hall, under publications you see both standard Arabic literatures and videos in Standard and Lebanese Arabic.

Jehovah's Witnesses don't force people to pay them. It's free to study the Bible with them and attend congregation meetings. Why not? They'll to their best to look for answers for questions you're looking for.

Answer 3

honestly, I wouldn't go for it. A non-muslim woman asked one of the imams the same question on sunday at a lecture. He too did not recommend it. Because what about the kids? They'll be confused as to what religion to follow, and its his duty to ensure that they learn Islam, however he doesnt seem to be following many other aspects so I don't know what his care factor is. In the long run I dont think it would work, but its a sensitive issue. Something you needa sit down and discuss with him and your family etc.

However, you could always looking into the true Islam one day, just for interest sake you know.
May Allah guide you, and help you in your decision

BTW, Dont use google as a resource. theres so much rubbish online. As someone above said to look at how islam treats women, feel free to email me if you want :)

Answer 4

Marry him! Really; as it appears that he's a good guy for you. Him being a Muslim should not be an obstacle. Islam is a great religion after all. Perhaps you may find yourself wishing to convert to Islam.

Remember that your kids shall be Muslims, so I believe that it's better for you to become a Muslim. After all, you may turn out to be a better Muslim than he is, and then you'll be the one asking him not to drink nor eat pork.

Best wishes for both of you. Best of luck!

Answer 5

Well, just so you know, Muslims can marry people of the book (Jews and Christians). He doesn't sound like a very religious muslim since he drinks, but i really can't be one to judge...i suggest you find out more and see if your beliefs would clash. If they do so in a very bad way, then it can't really be worth it to continue hoping for him.

Edit: Abouterachess: meat not killed in the prescribed manner is forbidden,as well as pork, so the asker is correct in her assumption.

Answer 6

I suggest that you commend him to God, and move on. Of course if you do end up married to him someday, and the marriage fails, it would not be a sacramental marriage because he is not a Christian, and you could remarry in the Catholic Church. Of course one should not go into a relationship with this in mind. As a person living in a culture which is European-American, you should study Islamic attitudes toward women.. Read some articles on this. Google should have a few. I have been told that they regard a woman as a piece of property that belongs to them, and which they must control.

Answer 7

first, the Bible says not to be unequally yoked w/ an unbeliever. I don't know if Catholics hold to that or not but I do. I say you are playing w/ fire. Get out before you get burned, it hurts! Second, what's a Maronite Catholic? Just curious! Also, you will be required to do/give up ALOT if you marry a Muslim. It is in their customs,laws,religion,rituals. Not to mention there will be a huge amount of pressure for you to convert. Talk it over w/ your family, openly. Talk to your priest, pray,pray,pray!!! God Bless!!

Answer 8

As salaamu 'alaikym, my friend.

Insha'Allah, there are very strict rules as to what one can eat and drink in Islam and most foods at most restaurants is not "halal' (i.e., permitted).
Also, the use of alcohol is strictly haram or forbidden, even in medical situations.

Insha'Allah, although it is not forbidden in Islam, it is strongly discouraged for a Muslim to marry a non-Muslim and, if they did marry, it would be expected that the non-Muslim would convert to Islam.

Insha'Allah, "he is a practicing Muslims", then it sounds as if he needs a bit more practice! In Islam, one can not and does not "pick and choose" what part of Islam one wishes to follow. One either practices the five pilars of Islam as fully as one is able to or one is not a Muslim despite what he or she may profess.

Insha'Allah, as a Marionite Catholic, you, by your profession of faith , believe in the divinity of the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) as the "Son of God' or the second person in the Holy Trinity. Such a belief is literally blaspheme in Islam as Islam teachs that there is only One God and that Allah, Subhanna wa Ta'ala has no associates, partners, equals nor offsprings. Are you willing to renounce your professed faith in this regard?

Insha'Allah, Muslims are also taught to hold women in great respect. This entails certain manners in which any "courtship" might be conducted. A woman and a man would never meet either in public nor in private without the woman being escorted by an adult male relative. This is to protect the honor, virtue and reputation of the woman. "Shopping around for a date" on the internet is very questionable and I can not think of nay Muslim man I know who would do such nor any Muslim woman who would accept such.

If this gentleman is really a practicing Muslim, he is not conducting his affairs nor his personal life in a very Islamic manner.

If he is a federal agent, ask him what agency he is part of and for his federal identification number so that you might make certain he is telling you the truth. He should have no objections as to providing that information to you as such is required of all federal employees when they are asked to provide the same.

Insha'Allah, if I were your father, although I might have and express some conerns as to your interest in man from outside of your professed faith, I would also be concerned as to how you met this man and as to the truth of what he has told you.

Insha'Allah, I would advise you to be very, very careful and to not sell yourself on the idea of this man being "Mr. Right" until you knew a great deal more about him.


INsha'Allah, I am in my mid fifties and I have a seven year old daughter and this is the advise I would provide for her were she in your situation.

Ma'a salaam

Answer 9

This is a touchy subject.

At first sight, this man seems very nice. He also sounds like a moderate muslim and very modern man.

But this can be tricky. You see, just because a muslim man is okay with the fact that he drinks, eats, party, etc., doesn't mean that he won't expect "humility" from you.

Islam is okay with men marrying women of other faiths, but the opposite isn't as acceptable. For muslim, women must be "pure", "humble", "submitted", "loving", etc. You could wake up the morning after the wedding with a nasty surprise of a man that turned from a caring lover into someone who expect you to become is slave and obedient servant.

I suggest reading "Not without my daughter" of Betty Mahmoody for an exemple on how a perfect marriage can go horribly wrong.

Since you're both Libanese, he could have come up with a fantasy of "bringing you back on the right road". Be mindfull of that.

Islam is not a religion of peace.

Answer 10

As for your marriage there shouldn't be a problem. Women who marry muslim men are not required to convert. Muslim men are allowed to marry Christians Jews or of course muslim women. (women of the book). So all will be fine.

The problem comes with your daughters. Your sons will be ok so long as they don't fall in love with an athiest or buddist (muslim, Christian, or Jew only). Your daughters though will be forced to marry a muslim man (by Muslim "law"). So if you find a nice catholic you want her to marry... expect a big hairy fight on your hands.

Good Luck!!!

I hope you both can compromise and not let religion stand in your way of happiness.

I know this would not be God's intent.