I am 38 years of age, Hindu in love with a Hindu man who is married but unhappy with his first wife. Can we change our religion and become Muslims to marry to avoid any legal problems and live happily ever after.

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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

There is nothing that can prevent you from embracing Islam. We invite you to become a Muslim and we will welcome you as a new Muslim and will treat you as any Muslim sister. You have to take the initiative to become a Muslim before death comes to you and take your soul as a non-Muslim.

We advise you to read books about Islam, written by Muslims. You will learn about Islam, and you will surely discover that Islam is the religion of truth and justice.

Islam has given the woman all her rights. It forbids the man to be unjust to her, or to transgress her rights, and urges her husband to be kind and generous to her.

Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable...}[2:228].

Allaah also says (interpretation of meaning): {And live with them (your wives) honorably.}[4:19].

Besides, the Prophet said: "Fear Allaah in your women." He also said: "Indeed Allaah instructs you to be good to your women; they are your mothers, daughters and aunts."

The Prophet further said: "The best of you, are indeed the best to their wives, and I am the best to my wives."

The Prophet also said: "A Muslim with a complete belief is the one with the best conduct, and the best of you, are the best to their wives (i.e. in treatment)."

A woman in Islam is therefore a protected jewel, not an exposed one, honored not humiliated, and is precious and not a cheap product. So take the initiative to embrace Islam in order to be happy in this life and in the Hereafter.

If you embrace Islam and are convinced that it is the true religion, you have to correct your intention so that you get the reward from Allaah.

The Prophet said: "Deeds are judged by their intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

If you want to live in happiness, you have to know that Islam is the religion of happiness, and Allaah promised happiness to those who follow this religion. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).}[16:97].

Moreover, you have to try to convince this man to embrace Islam with you so that he will become happy not only to achieve his wish of marrying you but also, and more importantly, to truly become a Muslim. We wish you a happy life within Islam.

To conclude, we say that Islam is accepted by anyone who embraces it sincerely, even if the incentive to do so is not initially correct.

Allaah knows best.