A Muslim marrying a non-Muslim or a Kafir woman

Q 3: A Muslim man married a woman from the People of the Book then she embraced Islam but then returned to her Din (religion) as she found the performance of the acts of `Ibadah (worship) and Islamic duties difficult. Is it permissible for the concerned Muslim man to continue his marriage to her or not?

A: It is impermissible for a Muslim to continue his marriage to his wife who was Muslim but then abandoned the Din of Islam. The foregoing applies whether such a Muslim's wife did not embrace any other Din or she returned to her original Din. This is because by abandoning Islam she is not to be considered one of the People of the Book even if she embraced Judaism or Christianity. Rather, she is considered a Murtad (apostate) and all the rulings of the Murtad apply to her. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.