Answer
In this counseling answer:
“I would encourage you to reach out to him to reopen those channels of communication. Regardless of whether you find direct or indirect ways to communicate with your spouse, it is important for you to confront this issue and have an honest and open conversation with him about your marriage and about his sexuality.”
As-Salamu `Alaikum,
First, I would like to say that I commend you for your courage to come forward and ask this question regarding your husband. From your questioning, it seems that you want to do what is pleasing to Allah and what is best for your 3-year-old son. There seem to be several concerns that you have regarding your marriage.
The first concern is that your husband has completely changed after you married him. His behavior is alarming you because you feel he is exhibiting the behavior of hypocrisy.
The next concern you have is regarding the possibility of your husband’s infidelity and questions regarding your husband’s sexuality. He has memorized the entire Quran so you assumed that he was a religious man because of this ability that he has been blessed with by Allah. However, you discovered a love letter that he had written to a man. Since discovering that he has been writing love letters to a man, he has now been living abroad for the past two years. You have lost contact with him within the past month, and he has stopped calling you and emailing you for the past month.
As his wife, you have rights over him, and he has rights over you as your husband. What he is doing is not acceptable in Islam. I would encourage you to follow your intuition in moving forward. I welcome you to consult with our scholars concerning what are the best steps in moving towards your divorce.
The first issue is that he is writing a love letter to someone other than you, his wife, and to your knowledge, he does not have a second wife. The next issue is that he is writing a love letter to a man which is revealing the possibility that he is bisexual or gay.
I find that in many parts of the world sexuality is expressed a lot but communities often turn a blind eye to the possibilities that the root of some of the relationship problems for some Muslim couples could be concerning an individual’s sexuality and identity confusion surrounding the individual’s sexuality. Any unresolved identity confusion in the midst of a committed relationship can often lead to some form of resentment and withdrawal of the individual who is confused. This resentment and withdrawal are often directed at the spouse or the significant other.
Differences in sexuality and sexual orientation do exist. What is forbidden in Islam is the act of zina/fornication and the homosexual behavior itself. Both acts are considered extremely sinful and are behaviors that should not be exhibited.
There are multiple ways you can address finding out if your husband is not faithful to you or if he has another relationship somewhere else. The first way of finding out the status of your husband behavior would be by asking him directly. Communication is a very important part of a marriage. What you do not want to do is spend another year married to someone who is not speaking to you, and you are not able to get to the root of the problems you are experiencing in your marriage. Keep the channels of communication open with your spouse.
You mentioned that he is not returning calls and has stopped emailing you. I would encourage you to reach out to him to reopen those channels of communication. Regardless of whether you find direct or indirect ways to communicate with your spouse, it is important for you to confront this issue and have an honest and open conversation with him about your marriage and about his sexuality. Indirect ways could be through relatives, friends, an Imam or Sheikh who you have confidence in.
Sometimes people feel that a person has completely changed after they marry the person. What is actually occurring is that this person is revealing to you who they truly are from the initial stages when you met them, and Allah is also revealing to you who they are by showing you their actions. What I would encourage you to do, and it seems that you have already done this, is to examine what he is saying, and what he is doing.
Yes, it is wonderful for a man to memorize the entire Quran. However, what should be emphasized more than his ability to recite is his ability to apply the knowledge that he is memorizing to his everyday life and to his marriage and family life with you.
Allah states in the Quran examples of how there will come a time where people will come to abandon the way of the Quran:
“And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.” (25:30)
The circumstance of divorce is a very sad and difficult process to go through, especially when one has been loyal. You may be experiencing a multitude of emotions including hurt, betrayal, anger, frustration, sadness, or despair. Remember that Allah hears and answers all that you ask of him.
Use this time that you have alone to build a spiritual connection with the Creator and ask for guidance in charting the path you wish to take. Consider that he has provided for you and made a way for you during the two years your husband has not been living with you. He will make a way for you during and after your experience of this divorce and Allah knows best.
You have your whole life ahead of you and I would encourage you to continue to search for answers, be brave and do not stop until you have achieved your goals.
May Allah help you,
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Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services.
