Q: I would like to inform you that I rarely performed Salah (Prayer) at the time that I got married. Now, thanks to Allah, I perform Salah, performed Hajj and repented to Allah. However, I do not know the ruling on the marriage contract; is it valid or not? If not, what should I do? Answer me, may Allah reward you, bearing in mind that my wife gave birth to five children.

A: If, at the time of contracting marriage, the wife did not perform Salah like you or was not punctual in performing it, the marriage contract is valid and the marriage does not have to be re-contracted as both of you (Part No. 18; Page No. 291) were equal regarding the ruling relating to abandoning Salah, i.e. being disbelievers. If, at the time of contracting the marriage, the woman was punctual in performing Salah, it is obligatory to re-contract marriage according to the more sound of two opinions of scholars, if you want each other. However, repentance for abandoning Salah and punctuality in performing it are inevitable. As for children who came before re-contracting marriage, they are legitimate children whose lineage is attributed to their father bearing in mind that the parties deemed the marriage contract effective at the time of conclusion (though it was not in reality). We ask Allah to bestow righteousness on you and guide you to all good things. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.