Does doubt about the existence of the Creator take one outside of Islam, and is it obligatory to perform ghusl and utter the Two Testimonies to renew the marriage contract after such doubt?

Answer Summary:

First: Doubting the existence of the Creator is an act of disbelief and apostasy, unless it is a fleeting whisper (waswasah) that is repelled and disliked. If the doubt takes hold, then apostasy has occurred, but Allah accepts the repentance of those who repent, and Islam obliterates the sins that preceded it.

Second: If the marriage contract was concluded during the period of doubt, then the contract must be renewed because the marriage of a disbeliever or apostate to a Muslim woman is invalid. However, if the doubt occurred after the contract, there is a detailed explanation:

Before consummation: The marriage is annulled and must be renewed. This is an annulment, not a divorce. After consummation: The annulment of the marriage depends on the expiration of the waiting period (three menstrual cycles). If repentance occurs before the expiration of the waiting period, the marriage remains valid. However, if the waiting period expires before returning to Islam, the marriage is annulled. There is also a view that the woman takes control of her own affairs after the waiting period; she may marry or wait for the husband, hoping he might embrace Islam.

The form of the contract is for the woman's guardian to say: "I give you my daughter/sister so-and-so in marriage," and for the husband to say: "I accept," in the presence of two witnesses.

Third: Scholars have differed regarding the obligation for a disbeliever to perform ghusl (definition) (ritual bath) after embracing Islam, and the safer (more cautious) approach is to perform ghusl. Therefore, it is safer for you to perform ghusl, then utter the two testimonies of faith, and then act according to the detailed explanation regarding marriage.