Answer
Answer:
As-Salamu `Alaykum,
Thank you so much for writing to us with this rather complex situation.
We make du`aa’ to Allah to guide you to choose what is best for your faith, family, and future.
As a general comment, we do want to point out that precisely one of the reasons Islam forbids premarital relationships is because there is no contractual obligation for either the man or the woman to ensure the well-being of the other.
In your case, the question clearly arises as to why after nearly two years there had been no move towards getting married to your boyfriend?
Based on what you have written, it is not clear to us if your boyfriend proposed marriage to you, or even if he ever thought you two would get married.
It is clear that you had strong feelings for him and wanted to marry him someday, but there is no assurance as to if or when that would have happened.
Needless to say, you have to turn to Allah with remorse and sincerely repent to Him for any sins you might have committed before your marriage.
If you are at all serious about resolving your current crisis, then you have to establish a relationship with Allah first.
That relationship will never be sound if you are unable to turn to Allah and admit to Him your sins, despite the fact that He is already aware of what you have done in public and in private.
But it is an important part of the repentance process that you admit to Allah what sins you have committed and promise that you will never commit those sins again.
As to your marriage with your cousin, the Islamic teachings are quite clear in that a woman cannot be married against her will.
Again, we can only base our response on what you have written and so it is not clear to us what objections, if any, you raised when your parents suggested marring your cousin.
If, in fact, you had no choice and were forced to marry your cousin, it might be possible to dissolve the marriage on the grounds that you were not a willing party to the contract.
We strongly urge you to talk to your parents further about this and go with them to consult and seek advice from a local Imam or religious scholar in your area.
It is imperative that you not let too much more time go by before resolving this.
It cannot be done via the Internet. The Imam or religious scholar must be told everything about the case, and in sha’ Allah he will be guided by Allah to offer a just resolution to this matter.
We do want to remind you that just getting a divorce from your cousin will not be the end of your problems.
The matter is still outstanding that your real wish is to marry your boyfriend of the last two years.
Before you do anything at all, we urge you learn about the Istikharah(supplication for guidance) Prayer.
Then, make sure to pray before you proceed with the divorce.
If you do get a divorce, make sure you also make the Istikharah Prayer to seek Allah’s guidance regarding your boyfriend.
Allah Most High knows what is best for you. Prepare yourself for the reality that Allah might guide you not to marry your boyfriend, but to marry another man altogether, one who will be a blessing for your faith, family, and future.
The challenge is to have a strong enough relationship with Allah so that you are able to receive His guidance.
Repent to Allah, pray more often, fast regularly, and give in charity.
Allah is testing you for your sins, but if you persevere and seek His guidance, then by His will the resolution may come from an entirely unexpected source!
Allah knows best,
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