Question: I would like your help on this issue. I have received a proposal from a man that I love but I do think he is a Christian. How can I encourage him to embrace Islam because I am scared that our relationship might end because of different religions and I don't want that to happen? Please help me out!

Answer: To begin with, in Islam, it is a great sin to offend the creator (i.e. Allah) due a creature. This is very important to take into account, be it your parents, relatives, friends or mates. Hence, with respect to your question, Qur'an 2: 221 says "Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of Bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise." Thus try every means possible to convince the man that before marrying you, he should become a Muslim, BUT with understanding, NOT because of marriage.

With regards to freedom of choice when marrying within the religion, Muslim men and women are given the right to choose who they want to marry. When marrying outside the religion, Muslim men may marry Christian or Jewish women but not other religions. Muslim women, however, may not marry Christian or Jewish men, or men from any other religion.

In relation to women, men are encouraged to get married to religiously devoted women.


What to look for in a man
There are many significant factors to consider prior to getting married. When looking for a potential spouse one should look for specific virtues- In a husband these are: Piety, A halal (lawful) income, sufficient to support his house-hold, basic Islamic knowledge, because Allah says in the Qur'an, "Protect yourself and your family from the fire" (Qur'an, 66:6)., contentment, ability to make mature judgments, ability to understand and think soundly, a forgiving nature, tolerance, an even temper, patience, generosity, responsibility, protectiveness, cooperation, being from a decent stable family, and good appearance and bodily cleanliness.

What to look for in a woman
The qualities you look for in a woman to make your wife and the mother of your children are: Piety, affectionate and easy going nature, ability to make mature judgments, ability to understand and think soundly, obedience, patience, contentment, being from a decent stable family, good appearance and bodily cleanliness.