Q: There is a man in Sudan called Mahmud Muhammad Taha who is calling for the Shari‘ah (Islamic law) to be developed in accordance with the modern age. He himself does not perform the Salah (Prayer) observed by Muslims, but instead he performs a prayer called "Al-Asalah." It is a special prayer of his own, which he claims to have received from Allah. He also claims that he calls for the Muslims to apply the Prophet’s Sunnah (whatever was reported from the Prophet) in his own special way. One of this man’s followers proposed to my daughter. Is it permissible for us to accept his proposal and, if this marriage takes place, what is the ruling on it?

A: First: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last of the Messengers (peace be upon them); Allah (Exalted be He) says (what means): Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allâh and the last (end) of the Prophets. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, “There shall be no prophet after me.” Allah (Exalted be He) perfected His Din (religion), completed His Blessings over the Mu’minun (believers), and chose Islam for them as their religion. (Part No. 18; Page No. 282) The legislation of the Laws of Islam ended by the death of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), so whatever was not passed as a law of religion in his lifetime (peace be upon him) cannot be considered as part of the religion of Islam now. Allah (Exalted be He) says: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion. Therefore anyone who claims to have received any legislation from Allah after Prophet Muhammad, whether regarding Salah or anything else, is a Kafir (disbeliever); and anyone who abandons the Salah deliberately is also considered to be a Kafir. Second: If it is confirmed that what you said above concerning this man, Mahmud Taha, is true, he is a Kafir, and anyone who believes in him and follows him in this is also a Kafir. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim man to give his Muslim daughter to any one of these people in marriage under these circumstances. If the marriage takes place, the contract is Batil (null and void) and it is obligatory for their case to be referred to the courts to separate them. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.