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:

A.A. Brother Burhan, may ALLAH reward you for all that you are doing for the muslim community. I have a few questions. My 2nd question is: Is it haraam for a muslim male to marry a buddhist, even if she doesn`t listen to the teachings of her religion, and thinks that Islam makes sense, but cant convert right away because of her parents?

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Answer:

Muslim marry buddhist

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.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 221: Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters) until they believe; a slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman even though she allure you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: a man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever even though he allure 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.

Allah has prohibited the believing man, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, to marry a pagan or polytheist woman, unless she accepts Islam. Thus, if would not be permitted in Shariah for a believing man to marry a Buddhist woman, unless she accepts Islam as her deen before the marriage.

Whether she listens to the teachings of her religion or not, or whether or not she thinks Islam makes sense, etc., these things have absolutely no bearing on the law of Shariah. What you should do is invite her to Islam, and give her a copy of the translation of the Glorious Quran in a language she understands best, so that she may comprehend and recognize the One and Only True Lord of the Worlds; and if Allah Wills, He may guide her to Islam.

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