Is it permissible for a woman who wishes to embrace Islam to remain married to her non-Muslim husband after her conversion, knowing that she loves him and they have children and she does not wish to separate from him, or does her remaining with him render their relationship zina (unlawful sexual intercourse)?

The first thing people are called to is the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, followed by the rest of the obligations and prohibitions of Islam. Entering Islam is by affirming with the heart, uttering with the tongue, and acting with the limbs. A Muslim does not exit Islam by committing forbidden acts. The inquiring woman should hasten to embrace Islam and perform what she can of its commands and prohibitions, and repent for any shortcomings. It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim. Therefore, the questioner must try to persuade her husband to embrace Islam. If he accepts Islam, she should continue with him; if he does not, she must leave him.