Salam Aleikom. My name is Mariam and I live in Cyprus. I have converted to Islam since the beginning of August from Christian Orthodox. However, my family do not know that I have converted. I am married to a Muslim but however my husband has not been the reason for me converting to Islam. The reason is because I started to ask questions about Islam, read the explanation of the Quran in English, and also whilst in Morocco with my husband, I saw with my own eyes one of the miracles of Islam. I now know the truth about Islam and that Allah is the most gracious and almighty and that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Allah’s messenger and slave and everything the prophet did was for us. I am very happy and tranquil with my new faith. Alhamdulillah. My problem though is as follows: it will hurt my parents if they know the truth about me converting so therefore, when I visit them in their home I wear a cross only to withstand problems. I know this is not correct, but I cannot tell them the truth. Please, tell me if wearing the cross to avoid hurting my family is wrong? Could you please help me with this problem as I do not know what to do. Thank you kindly for your help. Mariam

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we thank and praise Allaah Who guided you to Islam and we ask Him to make you firm and steadfast on His Religion until the Day you meet Him.

We advise you to seek beneficial knowledge and perform good deeds.

As regards wearing a cross, the scholars stated that it is not permissible for a Muslim to wear a ritual that is peculiar to the non-Muslims, as is the case of wearing a cross, because wearing it is imitating the non-Muslims in their disbelief, even if one does so outwardly only, and this is approving of the falsehood upon which the wrongdoers are.

We believe that you do not need to do that, however, if you fear that you will be harmed by showing your faith (becoming a Muslim), you have the right to conceal it on the condition that you abide by the religious rites in secret. If it is possible to show your religion, then do so and be proud of it and do not fear anyone except Allaah. This may be a reason for calling your parents to Islam and they may become Muslims thanks to you.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 92413 and 106089.

With regard to the parents becoming unhappy, then this is an easy matter; parents may become sad just because of their children leaving them. Even so, their children may not give up the idea of leaving them if there is a need for that, like travelling and so forth, let alone if their becoming unhappy is due to religious reasons.   

Allaah Knows best.