Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

i was wondering can a muslim man get merried to a woman who is a non-muslim,ie christian or jew, without the need for them to convert to Islam at the beginning of the marriage. also if that is ok, if they have a child, wouldnt that cause a marriage problem because the man wants the child to be a muslim but the woman might want the child to be a christian or jew.

many thanks 

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Answer:

Can muslim man marry a christian jew

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: i was wondering can a muslim man get merried to a woman who is a non-muslim,ie christian or jew, without the need for them to convert to Islam at the beginning of the marriage.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 5:

5 This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers but chaste women among the People of the Book revealed before your time when ye give them their due dowers and desire chastity not lewdness nor secret intrigues. If anyone rejects faith fruitless is his work and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

Allah Subhanah has permitted and allowed the believing men to marry chaste honorable women from amongst the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), if they wish and desire to do so. The marriage of a believing man to a chaste honorable Jew or Christian sister, even if she chooses not to accept and revert to Islam before their marriage will be absolutely legal and lawful in the Sight of Shariah Law.

Your Question: also if that is ok, if they have a child, wouldnt that cause

marriage problem because the man wants the child to be a muslim but the woman might want the child to be a christian or jew.

Shariah Law would treat the child resulting from the marriage between a believer and a chaste honorable woman from amongst the People of the Book to be a muslim; and all the rights that are due to a muslim will be accorded to the child in full.

If one is aware or even doubts that the Christian or Jewish woman one intends to marry wishes that their children be raised according to the religion of the mother, the believer obviously has the option to refuse such a proposal….for to marry a woman from amongst the People of the Book is only an allowance and a permission in Islam for those who wish to do so….and not a Command.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan