A non-Muslim French man wants to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim woman. However, an Imaam of a Masjid told him that he should not marry a Muslim woman until six months after converting to Islam. What is the Sharee‘ah ruling on this? May Allaah Reward you.

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.

Conversion to Islam abrogates what came before it.  ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Do you not know that Islam abrogates what came before it.” [Muslim]

When a person converts to Islam with all the prerequisites and conditions fulfilled, then all his past sins and deeds are forgiven. He is allowed to marry any Muslim woman, regardless of the period he has spent as a Muslim and whether he was an atheist or follower of any other belief before Islam. His marriage to a Muslim woman should not be delayed except for a period that may reveal that he truly wants to become a Muslim and that he does not do so because he wants to marry a Muslim woman.

Consequently, if that French man converted to Islam and became a good Muslim, his marriage should not be delayed unless there is a Sharee‘ah-approved justification. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said: “If there comes to you someone whose religion and morals you approve of, then marry him [to women under your guardianship]; if you do not, there will be temptation on earth and widespread corruption.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

Allaah Knows best.