I have a child by a woman I did not marry. She is a non-Muslim but is willing to become a Muslim. I did not marry her because I am a student and I was afraid my parents may not continue to support me. Now I have doubts about not marrying her. Please advise me.

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.

You should turn towards Allah making sincere repentance for the grave sin you have committed; i.e., Zina (fornication or adultery). Allah Says (what means): {And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.} [Quran 17:32]

In addition to this, you should know two important points:

1. According to Islamic Sharee’ah there is no relation between you and this child which is from Zina. Therefore this child is not traced back to you. You are not obliged to bear his expenses and neither of you can inherit from the other.

2. It is not permissible to marry any non-Muslim girl in any case except the girl who belongs to the People of the Book; i.e., Christians or Jews. Marrying a Jewish girl or a Christian one is permissible provided she is chaste. However, in this case, she had illicit relations with you till she became pregnant, so there is no doubt that she is not chaste. Thus marrying her is not permissible unless she embraces Islam.

However, if she (or any non-Muslim girl) sincerely repents of her sin, embraces Islam, adheres to Islamic rulings following good and avoiding evils, then marrying her is lawful.

Know also that before marrying this girl, it is better for you to discuss the matter with your parents. You need to know their position on the marriage and whether they intend to support you. We advise you against getting married secretly or without their knowledge.

Allah knows best.