Inter-marriage between Muslims and Christians or Jews
Posted by ABM Productions' Team on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Under: Islam
Question: Is it true that a Muslim man can marry a Christian or Jewish woman? If yes, are there conditions attached on how the nikah should be performed? Please help me.
Answer: In Islam, marriage is permitted for a Muslim man with a woman from the People of the Book (Arabic - Ahl al Kitab, Christians and Jews). For a woman, marriage to any other than a Muslim is prohibited. Allah says: “And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you [i.e. People of the Book], when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” (Qur’an 5:5)
It should be understood, however, that Islam strongly prohibits intermarriages between Muslims and polytheists – people who believe in and worship multiple gods and/or idolatry. The Christians of the time of the prophet – thus the time when the above verse was revealed – were not polytheists, but rather, they were monotheists (just like that of Islamic Tawheed). As such, the above verse applied to them. Regarding the conditions of nikah, there is no difference with those that apply to the marriage between a Muslim and another Muslim.
Christians of nowadays, on the other hand, possess the qualities of polytheism as per Islamic definition (of polytheism). For instance, they believe that Jesus (the son of Mary) is God and they do worship him. They further believe that Jesus is the son of Allah. To the contrary, Muslims believe that Allah has neither a son nor a daughter, and the belief that Allah has a son is regarded as polytheistic (shirk). Allah says: “Say, ‘He is Allah , [who is] One, Allah , the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent’." (Qur’an 112: 1-4)
Within Islam, shrik (polytheism) is an unforgivable crime; Allah may forgive any sin except for committing shirk. Allah says: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him [shirk], but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” (Qur’an 4:48)
It should be noted, however, that a woman may sincerely revert to Islam, and in such a case, it is permitted to marry such a woman as it is unlawful for her to get married to disbelievers (polytheists). Allah says: “O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them. But pay the Unbelievers what they have spent (on their dower), and there will be no blame on you if ye marry them on payment of their dower to them. But hold not to the guardianship of unbelieving women: ask for what ye have spent on their dowers, and let the (Unbelievers) ask for what they have spent (on the dowers of women who come over to you). Such is the command of Allah: He judges (with justice) between you. And Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.” (Qur’an 2:221)
Answer: In Islam, marriage is permitted for a Muslim man with a woman from the People of the Book (Arabic - Ahl al Kitab, Christians and Jews). For a woman, marriage to any other than a Muslim is prohibited. Allah says: “And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you [i.e. People of the Book], when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” (Qur’an 5:5)
It should be understood, however, that Islam strongly prohibits intermarriages between Muslims and polytheists – people who believe in and worship multiple gods and/or idolatry. The Christians of the time of the prophet – thus the time when the above verse was revealed – were not polytheists, but rather, they were monotheists (just like that of Islamic Tawheed). As such, the above verse applied to them. Regarding the conditions of nikah, there is no difference with those that apply to the marriage between a Muslim and another Muslim.
Christians of nowadays, on the other hand, possess the qualities of polytheism as per Islamic definition (of polytheism). For instance, they believe that Jesus (the son of Mary) is God and they do worship him. They further believe that Jesus is the son of Allah. To the contrary, Muslims believe that Allah has neither a son nor a daughter, and the belief that Allah has a son is regarded as polytheistic (shirk). Allah says: “Say, ‘He is Allah , [who is] One, Allah , the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent’." (Qur’an 112: 1-4)
Within Islam, shrik (polytheism) is an unforgivable crime; Allah may forgive any sin except for committing shirk. Allah says: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him [shirk], but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” (Qur’an 4:48)
It should be noted, however, that a woman may sincerely revert to Islam, and in such a case, it is permitted to marry such a woman as it is unlawful for her to get married to disbelievers (polytheists). Allah says: “O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them. But pay the Unbelievers what they have spent (on their dower), and there will be no blame on you if ye marry them on payment of their dower to them. But hold not to the guardianship of unbelieving women: ask for what ye have spent on their dowers, and let the (Unbelievers) ask for what they have spent (on the dowers of women who come over to you). Such is the command of Allah: He judges (with justice) between you. And Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.” (Qur’an 2:221)
In : Islam