I am non-Muslim and in love with a Muslim girl who is my relative. Tell me what in Islam I must look into and give priority.

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.

Islam is the religion of Allah; He has chosen it for His slaves and does not accept any other religion. Allah Says (what means):

• {This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.} [Quran 5:3]

• {And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.} [Quran 3:85] All the other religions are abrogated by Islam. Accepting Islam becomes strongly needed since the previous Divine books are distorted.

Therefore, everyone should accept Islam to worship Allah. The Prophet said: “By Him in whose hand is the life of Muhammad, he who amongst the community of Jews or Christians hears about me, but does not affirm his belief in that which I have been sent with and dies in this state (of disbelief), he shall be one of the denizens of Hellfire.” [Muslim]

Islam assures humanity success and happiness in both the worldly life and life in the Hereafter. So, what are you waiting for to become Muslim? Hasten toward Islam and declare it as your religion by saying:

(I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger). And then adhere to the rulings of the Sharee’ah. By doing so you may marry that girl. Before accepting Islam, you are not permitted to marry a Muslim girl. Allah Says (what means): {…they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them …} [Quran 60:10]

Most probably, this girl would be a reason to guide you to the truth and to save you from Hellfire.

Finally, we mention here the story of Umm Sulaym who was an intelligent, beautiful and pious lady and embraced Islam. Abu Talha proposed marriage to her, yet he was non-Muslim and offered her Mahr (bridal money) to take as she wished. She said: “A person like you would not be rejected but the barrier is that you are a non-Muslim and I am a Muslim. So if you embrace Islam that would be my Mahr and I do not demand anything else.” Thereupon, she explained Islam to him and as a result he accepted it.

Thaabit (one of the narrators) said: “Her Mahar was more valuable and honorable than anything else.” Because of Umm Sulaym Abu Talha found the truth and saved himself from Hellfire.

Finally, we advise you to read about Islam as much as possible. In fact, you may find that its teachings will lighten your soul and open your heart. We eagerly await news that you accepted Islam. We ask Allah to guide you to the truth and to bless you and us to do what pleases Him.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 84349, 91563, 21363, 30315 and 90486.

Allah knows best.