What is the ruling regarding the marriage of a Muslim woman whose husband is a protected non-Muslim citizen (dhimmi) if she apostatizes to a religion other than that of the People of the Book?

Chapter on What is Prohibited to Marry and Combining Between Them and Other Matters

Al-Mughni

Book of Marriage

Book 35 · Issue 8 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a Muslim woman married to a non-Muslim citizen (dhimmi) converts to a religion other than that of the People of the Book, she is treated like a female apostate. Since marriage to women from non-People of the Book religions is unlawful for a Muslim man, if the marriage had not yet been consummated, her marriage is dissolved immediately, and she forfeits her dower (mahr) because the dissolution originates from her actions.

Supporting text

If the marriage had been consummated, one narration states the dissolution is contingent upon the end of her waiting period (iddah), while another narration holds that the marriage is dissolved immediately in all cases.