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Fatwa CenterWants to Practice Islam Again
Question
I am now 70 years old. Before living in Europe for the past 45 years, I fasted and prayed. My family is religious. When in Europe, I lived as they lived. Three years ago I returned home for the first time after 42 years. I went to the mosque and stopped living as I had in Europe. I used to fast, but now I am diabetic and I cannot pray as usual. How can I return to Islam and live the rest of my life as God and the Prophet ordered? I am very sorry that I did not do so before now. Please advise. Also, my wife went home with me. She has been a Muslim for 3 years.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, praise be to Allah Who guided you to the right path after you had gone astray. We ask Allah to help you in the best way. What you mentioned in your question is yet another evidence of the great danger facing people who live in non-Muslim countries. So, you should now warn your offspring, relatives and other Muslims of residing in these countries.
As long as you have repented to Allah, Allah the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent, Who likes those who repent to Him, will forgive you.
So, your sorrow and sadness for what you committed in the past will be highly rewarded. Allah Says (what means): {Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 25:70]
Now, you should perform all duties that Allah has prescribed on you and make up for the prayers and fasting you had missed to perform in the past according to your ability.
Allah Says (what means):
• {So fear Allah as much as you are able.} [Quran 64:16]
• {Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.} [Quran 2:286]
So, perform the prayers the way you can as the Prophet said toImran Ibn Husayn: “Pray standing, if you can't pray standing then pray sitting; if you can't pray while sitting, then pray while lying on your side.” [Al-Bukhari]
If trustworthy and competent doctors advise you not to fast because of your illness, then it is lawful for you not to fast, and expiate instead by feeding a needy person for everyday you did not fast.
You will then have done what Allah has ordered you to do. You should also mention Allah as much as possible, supplicate Him, seek His Forgiveness, repent to Him, and give alms. We ask Allah to accept your good deeds and forgive all your sins.
As for your saying: “Also my wife went home with me. She has been Muslim for 3 years”; then we make the following remarks:
First, if your wife was Muslim, Christian or Jewish when you married her, the contract is valid and your committing what is forbidden does not nullify that contract.
But if she was not a Muslim or from the People of the Book at the time of the marriage contract, then the marriage contract was null and void and you have to marry her again in the presence of her guardian, two witnesses, and giving her bridal money.
Allah knows best.
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