I am a 23 year-old Afghan girl and I am an ordinary Muslim as ever Muslim loves Islam and want to know about it more and more so am I. that is why studying about Islam make me more near to it, and life experiences prove to me that whatever Islam says it is completely right and for our benefit and changed my view on some Islamic rules that before I believed were not fair. However I live in an environment in which it is very difficult for me to act on all Islamic rules and avoid sins, such as watching TV, meet (Ghyeer Maharim) for some days I can avoid doing this sins but again I lost the right track because of environment. Now-a-days I am very worried what should I do when my family go to America. They plan to go there and I really don't want to go. So I have decided that to change my environment I wish to marry a Muslim Arab scholar because I am so inspired by their (Taqwa). Unfortunately my family don't want me to do so. They say if you marry an Arab you will embarrass us in society and people will laugh on us and say bad things like your girl was shameless to marry by her own choice. Any how I know that Islam has given a girl the right of choosing her husband I want to know it by doing so I harm and disappoint my family and mother will it be considered as a sin and selfishness? And if I don't do so then what should I do to walk continuously in the right path of Islam? It will be so kind of you to advice me and help me to choose the right way.

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.

We ask Allah to grant you steadfastness in the Sharee’ah and guide you to what pleases Him.

As for the means that will keep you steadfast, please refer to Fataawa 86436 and 85477.

No doubt that marrying a pious person is a good reason to keep one on the right path. The persistence and steadfastness in Islam is not limited only to Arabs. Non-Arabs have been setting magnificent examples of steadfastness in Islam. However, if your marriage to a non-Arab may cause troubles with your family or parents, then it is better to avoid doing so.

May Allah help you and grant you a pious husband.

Allah knows best.