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:

Surat: Baqarah Verse 221: Do not marry mushrik women unless they believe; a slave woman who believes is better than a free woman who does not believe, even though the later may appear very good to you. (like wise) do not wed your women to mushrik men unless they believe ...... What does mushrik means exactly? and believes in what? Why is a free man/woman compared to slave man/woman when faith has nothing to do with ones status ? Does that mean that a woman can marry a mushrik too like a man. and isnt Burhan one of the names of ALLAH? and if it is arent we supposse to use it as Abdul Burhan? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Who are Mushriks?

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: What does mushrik means exactly?

The translation of the Arabic term ‘mushrik’ in the English language would be polytheist. A mushrik is one who associates, invokes or worships beings other than or with Allah Subhanah; or shares any of Allah Subhanah’s Noble Attributes with anyone else.

The Holy Quran uses the term ‘mushrik’ to denote those people who used to invoke and worship others with Allah Subhanah; or share any of Allah’s Attributes with anyone else.

The Jews and the Christians, although they too commit ‘shirk’; but because in their original deen and Scriptures they believe in the existence of One God; they are termed in the Quran as the ‘People of the Book.’

Your question: and believes in what?

‘Shirk’ (associating others with Allah Subhanah) is the exact opposite of the term ‘Tauheed’ (belief in One God). Thus, whatever the ‘mushriks’ believe in other than the One All Mighty Lord, or associate with, or invoke, or worship, or share any of Allah’s Attributes with their idols, or graves, or stars, or sun, or moon, or man, or any other object or being….they will be committing ‘shirk’!

We have explained the concept of ‘shirk’ in detail in one of our articles and are attaching the answer from the archives for your reference.

Your question: Why is a free man/woman compared to slave man/woman when faith has nothing to do with ones status ?

Indeed, Faith has absolutely nothing to do with one’s status; and that is exactly what the Aayah means to emphasise. No matter what the person’s color, no matter his wealth, no matter his nationality, no matter his status, no matter whether free or a slave, a king or a pauper…. If one has been blessed with Faith or ‘emaan’, he is better and more honorable in the sight of Allah Subhanah, than the ones who have no Faith.

And that is precisely what the Aayah states: ‘a slave woman who believes is better than a free woman who does not believe.’

In another Aayah of the Quran Allah declares it clearly that the most honorable in the sight of Allah Subhanah is the one who has the most piety.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Surah Hujurat verse 13:O mankind, We created you from one man and one woman, and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most pious of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Your question: Does that mean that a woman can marry a mushrik too like a man.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 221:Do not marry ‘mushrik’ women unless they believe. A slave woman who believes is better than a free woman who does not believe, even though the latter may appear very attractive to you. Likewise, do not wed your women to ‘mushrik’ men, unless they believe. A slave man who believes, is better than a free man who does not believe, even though he may be very pleasing to you. These ‘mushriks’ invite you to the Fire while Allah, by His Grace, invites you to the Gardens and His Pardon. He makes His Revelations plain to the people so that they should learn a lesson, and follow the admonition.

Neither the believing man, nor the believing woman is permitted to marry a ‘mushrik’; unless they believe first!

But, Allah Subhanah has given permission to the believing man to marry chaste woman from the People of the Book, if they wish to do so.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 5:Likewise you are permitted to marry believing chaste women, and chaste women from among the people of the Book (Jews and Christians), provided that you give them their due ‘mahr’ and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues.

Thus according to Islam in light of the above and other aayahs of the Holy Quran, and the traditions of the Prophet (saws), the following guidance should be followed:

For a man:

Allowed to marry any chaste muslim women.

Allowed to marry chaste women of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).

Not allowed to marry any ‘mushrik’ women (Hindus, Sikhs, Budhist, etc), unless they believe.

For a woman:

Allowed to marry any chaste muslim man.

Not allowed to marry men from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), unless they believe.

Not allowed to marry ‘mushrik’ men, unless they believe.

Your question: isnt Burhan one of the names of ALLAH? and if it is arent we supposse to use it as Abdul Burhan? 

The Arabic term ‘burhan’ means proof or evidence, or argument; and is NOT one of the Blessed Names or Noble Attributes of Allah Subhanah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 27 Surah Al Naml verse 64: Bring forth your ‘burhan’ (evidence), if indeed what you say is the Truth!

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan