Question
I am sunni and i intend to marry an ismaili girl. But i want my child to follow my sect as in my knowledge according to ismaili sharia and as well sunni child should follow sect of father. Am i right to demand this ?? Am i doing something wrong to her ??
Answer
It is important to remember that Islam does not establish any sects. People, for a variety of reasons and targeted outcomes, created schisms. Furthermore, Islam does not state that a child should follow the sect of his/her father. This is a widely held belief that is simply untrue. If you are marrying an Ismaili then one is to assume that you respect her and her beliefs. One has to consider the outcome of a potential marriage when one of the partners believes that the others’ creed is inferior and unfit for their children. Such an attitude may have some detrimental effects on the future family. There should be no demand of anything. You should sit with your future wife and sift through every issue possible (even ones not related to this) to figure out together how you will both deal with them. There will have to be some give and take. In regards to children, you will both have to come to a decision as to how they are raised. Pushing her into a corner without a say may hurt your relationship. Understanding, sympathy, communication, respect and love between one another will help ease many situations that arise. In the end, you should realize that true faith will come from your childrens’ choice when they have reached spiritual consciousness. The best you can do is give the proper foundation with love and caring. Whether they choose your beliefs or their mothers is really between them and God. Do not allow this type of tension disrupt your home – even worse, create sectarianism within your own family.
I hope this helps.
God knows best.