I am a Sunni young man and I met a Moroccan dancer. We fell in love with each other and I convinced her to quit dancing and put on Hijaab (Islamic covering). She obeyed me, and I now want to marry her. Is there any harm in marrying her? Will I be a Dayyooth (a man who approves of indecency among his womenfolk) if I marry her?

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Dancers who show their beauty and uncover their ‘Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered) in front of men are likely to be involved in unlawful sexual relations and a Muslim is required to choose a righteous wife to whom he entrusts his honor and children. You have to note that a dissolute woman may tarnish her husband’s honor and attribute illegitimate children to him.

Nevertheless, if you are sure that this woman has sincerely turned to Allaah The Almighty in repentance and her righteousness and religiousness have become evident, then, there is no harm in marrying her because repentance removes all previous sins and misdeeds.

In such a case, you will not be considered a Dayyooth because she has repented, and Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {But indeed, I am the perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.} [Quran 20:82]

Nevertheless, you must end your relationship with her immediately until you conclude the marriage contract, because keeping your relationship with her means that you will look at her, go out with her, meet her privately and speak with her without necessity and this is prohibited under Sharee‘ah (Islamic law).

You should also know that accepting this relationship while you are non-Mahram (marriageable) to this woman may lead to the inference that her repentance is insincere.

Therefore, you both have to turn to Allaah The Exalted in repentance and end this relationship immediately. Finally, if you want to marry her, you must contact her guardian and ask him to marry her to you, as marriage is invalid without the consent of the guardian.  

 Allaah Knows best.