I'm a student seeking to get settled in France because it is so different from my "birth country" and differences with my family. I have a girlfriend I'm thinking of marrying who doesn't know anything about religion. What do you advise?

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 is His slave and Messenger.

It is unlawful for a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim woman unless she is from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and provided that she is chaste. Allaah Says (what means): {This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you.} [Quran 5:5]

However, it is not a condition for the validity of the marriage with her that she knows something about Islam.

As regards marrying an atheist woman or a polytheistic one, then this is strictly forbidden. Allaah Says (what means): {And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe.} [Quran 2:221]

Finally, you should know that marrying a Muslim woman who is religious and who has a good moral conduct is better and more appropriate.

Allaah Knows best.