According to all four schools of Sunni law and Shia law, interfaith marriages are condoned only between a Muslim male and a non-Muslim female from the People of the Book (that is, Christians and Jews) and not vice versa.
Video Interfaith marriage in Islam
Marriage of Muslim men to non-Muslim women
Islamic marriage rules between Muslim men and non-Muslim women are regulated by Islamic principles. There are restrictions to whom a Muslim man can marry which are further explained below.
According to Qur'an (5:5), "This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, 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". From this verse, it can be understood that Muslim men are allowed to marry non-Muslim women from the People of the Book (i.e. the Jews and Christians).
However, the Quran (2:221) also states, "And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (women who associate or similarise Allah with anything else) until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a Al-Mushrikat, even though she might please you. And do not marry Al-Mushrikin (men who associate or similarise Allah with anything else) [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a Al-Mushrikin, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may remember". From this verse, it can be understood that Muslim men are not allowed to marry women who associate or similarise Allah with anything.
The Qur'an (5:72) also states, "They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his abode is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers".
Furthermore, the Qur'an (4:171) also states, "O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah - Jesus the son of Mary, is a messenger of Allah and His word which He conveyed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So, believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say "Three (Trinity)". Desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Trustee of affairs". From these two different verses, it can be understood that those who believe Allah is Jesus Christ and also believe in Trinity falls under the category of "Kuffar" which means disbelievers. Therefore, Muslim men are not allowed to marry Christian women who believe that Allah is Jesus Christ and also believe in Trinity.
Moreover, the Qur'an (3:110) also states, "You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah . If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient". From this verse, it can be understood that there are among the People of the Book who are believers (Mu'min) and disobedient transgressors (Fasiq). Muslim men are only allowed to marry the non-Muslim women from the People of the Book who are believers (Mu'min), and not of disobedient transgressors (Fasiq).
Having all the above verses taken into account, it can be concluded that Muslim men can marry non-Muslim women from the People of the Book(i.e. Jews and Christians), but with the conditions stated below:
- The women from the People of the Book who believe in one true God
- The women from the People of the Book who do not associate or similarise God with anything else
- The women from the People of the Book specifically the Christians who do not believe in Trinity and do not believe that God is Jesus Christ.
- The women from the People of the Book must be among the believers (Mu'min). As for the Jews, they may believe in the teachings of prophets up to Moses, whereas for Christians, they may believe in the teachings of prophets up to Jesus Christ. It is not necessary for them to accept Prophet Muhammad as prophet and messenger of God.
Maps Interfaith marriage in Islam
Marriage of Muslim women to non-Muslim men
(See verse 60:10 below)
Muslim women are forbidden from marrying non-Muslim men according to Islamic law, in the Quran it's says 'O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: God 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 God. He judges (with justice) between you. And God is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.' {Surah 60:10} .
Conversion to Islam of one spouse in a non-Muslim marriage
Under Islamic law, if a non-Muslim woman is married to a non-Muslim, and she converts to Islam, the marriage is suspended until her husband converts to Islam. She could, in theory, leave the non-Muslim husband and marry a Muslim one. If the non-Muslim husband does convert a new marriage is not needed. In the Quran, it is said,
O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: God 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 God. He judges (with justice) between you. And God is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom. {Surah 60:10}
Modern practice
In practice, many Arab countries allowed interfaith marriage to Christian or Jewish women but not to non-Muslim men. In Lebanon for example there is no civil personal status law and marriages are performed according to the religion of the spouses. There, Muslim women cannot marry non-Muslim men, whereas this is possible vice versa, at least if the spouse is a Christian or Jewish woman. Turkey allows marriages to non-Muslim men through secular laws. In Tunisia since 16 September 2017, Muslim women can lawfully marry any man of any faith, or of none. In Malaysia a non-Muslim must convert to Islam in order to marry a Muslim. The offspring of such unions are automatically Muslims and all Malaysian Muslims are legally prohibited from leaving Islam (Riddah).
Interfaith marriage especially between Hindus and Muslims often have been the bone of contention and have resulted in communal riots in India. Love Jihad, also called Romeo Jihad, widely regarded as a conspiracy theory, is an alleged activity under which young Muslim boys and men are said to reportedly target young girls belonging to non-Muslim communities for conversion to Islam by feigning love. Official investigations in Uttar Pradesh had found no credence in allegations of Love Jihad that had been brought before them, with state police chief A.L. Banerjee stating that, "In most cases we found that a Hindu girl and Muslim boy were in love and had married against their parents' will. There are also instances where Muslim girls marry Hindu boys under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
See also
- Apostasy in Islam
- Interfaith marriage
- Interracial marriage
Notes
Source of article : Wikipedia
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