His wife does not want to fast

Question: 38282

My dear brother is a devoted muslim and is fasting in the month of ramadan, ilhamdiallah, but his wife who is muslim does not practise nor does she recognise the month of ramadan. He has no family near him, and is finding it hard to influence her to change or to get on the right path. He prays to Allah (swt) to guide her and give him patience, but he feels as though she is on a different path or does not want to know any better about what being a muslim is about. Can you please let me know what he can do to guide her better or make her become a more devout muslim.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

What your brother should do is strive his utmost to guide his wife to the path of truth. He should use all methods of exhortation and warning, reminding her of Allah and His rights, and pointing out the danger of what she is doing. Then he should strive to find her good friends, even if they are from among his relatives, such as putting her in touch with righteous wives of his friends, who can bring her useful tapes and pamphlets. If she obeys him, this is what he wants, otherwise there is no reason why he should not use such methods as forsaking her, if that will be useful in this situation. If forsaking is prescribed with regard to the husband’s rights, perhaps it is even more appropriate with regard to the rights of Allaah.

It is narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whilst I was sleeping, two men came to me and took hold of my upper arm, and brought me to a rugged mountain. They said: ‘Climb up.’ I said: ‘I cannot do it.’ They said: ‘We will make it easy for you.’ So I climbed up until I was at the top of the mountain. There I heard loud voices. I said: ‘What are these voices?’ They said: ‘This is the screaming of the people of Hell.’ Then I was taken and I saw people suspended by their ankles, with the corners of their mouths torn and pouring with blood. I said: ‘Who are these?’ They said: ‘These are the people who broke their fast before it was time to do so.’”

Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, no. 7796; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

If this is the punishment for the one who breaks his fast before it is time, then what about the one who does not fast at all?

If, in addition to not fasting, your wife does not pray at all, then she is beyond the pale of Islam, according to the correct scholarly view. Based on that, it is not permissible for your brother to remain married to her. And Allaah knows best.