Is it permissible for a person who has recently converted to Islam from among the People of the Book to continue going to church and outwardly practicing Christian rituals for fear of harm and severing ties with his bigoted parents, even though his heart disavows those rituals, especially if he has no other place to live and is compelled to accompany them?
A Muslim is not permitted to feign disbelief except out of extreme necessity, and the reasons mentioned are not justifications for doing so. Breaking ties of kinship or being expelled from home do not justify feigning disbelief. However, it is not obligatory to declare one's Islam openly if it will lead to harm. It suffices to conceal it if harm is anticipated, as did the believer from the family of Pharaoh and Abu Dharr. A Muslim should try to avoid going to church, and remain steadfast in his religion and obey his parents in matters that do not involve disobedience. Merely entering churches is permissible and there is no harm in it, but one should not succumb to family pressures.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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