When I went to my country a couple of years ago, men would propose to me because I have Canadian citizenship. Every one of them wanted to marry me in the hopes that I would bring him to Canada. Since I found this to be very offensive, I told everyone that I would not marry anyone who does not have a passport of an English country. Is this fair?

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

The correct criteria for choosing a husband is his religion and character; everything else comes next and is less important.
The Prophet said: “If a man whose religion and moral conduct are pleasing to you proposes to you, then let him marry; otherwise there will be great mischief and corruption on earth.” [At-Tirmithi]

If one of you proposed to a woman and you like his religion and character, then you should marry him because if you do not marry him, there will be mischief and corruption. One man consulted a scholar from the righteous predecessors about whom he should marry his daughter to; i.e., the ideal husband for her? He said: “Marry her to one who fears Allah. If he loves her he will honor her, if he dislikes her, he will fear Allah in dealing with her.” We suggest you to follow the same advice. You should make the religion and character the criteria to choose a husband. If you do so, you will live a happy conjugal life. As for the passport of a person, it should not be put forward as a pre-condition for accepting one or refusing him. On the other hand, it is desirable to marry a person who can take you from the country where you are living to a Muslim country, not the one whose purpose is totally opposite. A Muslim does not live in a non-Muslim country except for a dire necessity. The Prophet said: “The fire of Muslims should not be seen with the fire of polytheists.”

In another Hadeeth the Prophet said: “I am exempt from any Muslim who lives among polytheists.” This is because a Muslim faces much temptations and deviation in such countries. No doubt that you are aware of these. No one can be rid of them except the one that Allah protects.

For more benefit on Muslims living in non-Muslim countries, please refer to Fataawa 81142 and 81464.

Allah knows best.