I was a christian who converted to Islam as a requirement of marriage to moroccan woman in Morocco. It was the only way to get married - I did not necessarily agree with the principle but for true love I agreed to do this as the only way to be together. With time I have had strong doubts about this conversion to the point I want to reconsider being muslim. If I seek the departure from Islam, does anyone know what this does to my marriage under Islamic Law (in Morocco specifically) - I suspect it may invalidate or annul it. I would like to add that I do not mean to offend anyone by my wishes - I believe in God however I am not active in religion and above all I have felt a principle at great stake here - I cannot live comfortably at the moment. I do love my wife but the discomfort of this principal will not go away and I would rather we go to a country we can be together without this requirement.

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.

In principle, in Islamic religion, whoever utters the two testimonies of faith, which is to say: "Ash-Hadu Allaa Ilaaha Illallaah Wa Ash-Hadu Anna Muhammadun Rasoolullaah" (I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah), he is considered a Muslim even if he believes otherwise in his heart. He is not considered as an apostate unless he commits an act which nullifies his Islam.

The question to be asked here is: What prevents you from sincerely embracing Islam and correcting your intention? Islam is the true religion which Allaah chose for the people and by which He abrogated all previous religions. Whoever embraces Islam and abides by its legislation will be happy in this life and in the Hereafter, and whoever chooses a religion other than Islam, he will be unhappy forever. Allaah Says (what means): {And whoever desires other than Islam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.}[Quran 3:85].

Therefore, we advise you to correct your intention and sincerely embrace Islam. We are sure that if you read about Islam with objectiveness and sincerely seek the truth, you will undoubtedly conclude that it is the religion you should be upon. By doing so, you will achieve two benefits, the benefit of sincerely embracing Islam and the benefit of staying with this woman whom you love, and Allaah may also make her your wife in Paradise. Thus, you would achieve the happiness of this life and that of the Hereafter.

For more benefit on an introduction to Islam, please refer to Fataawa (plural of Fatwa) 88906, 88151, 86091 and 81979.

It should be noted that if you know that you are not a Muslim, then you are not permitted to have sexual intercourse with this woman, and she is not permitted to allow you enjoy her if she knows the reality of your faith. However, the matter is easy, if you sincerely embrace Islam, then you may renew the marriage contract in a correct way. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 90497.

However, continuing to deceive her is unacceptable; neither religion nor sound mind accept such behaviour, and it is not the conduct of honourable and dignified people with real manhood. You either keep her as we mentioned or divorce her.

Allaah Knows best.