Questions and Answers

Muslim women marrying non-Muslim men

Question: Why can't muslim women marry non muslim men?

Answer: A Muslim believes that Islam is the true religion which guides man on the straight path and takes him to salvation. He/she also believes that all other ways are paths of misguidance and deviation and invites to the abode of the Fire of Hell.

Having understood this, one should know that the purpose of marriage in Islam is not for the gratification of the sensual desires. Instead, it is for the purpose of leading a life of purity and protecting one's chastity and honour and fulfilling the commands of his creator. It is for this reason that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s) said, 'Marriage is half of faith'.

Allah has created men and women so that they can provide company for each other, love one another, procreate children and live in peace and tranquility to the commandments of Allah and the directions of His Messenger. Marriage therefore, is seen as a requirement of one's faith and a help in building one's faith, as such, a Muslim is required to do that which brings about the fulfillment of his/her religious duties.

In this regard, Muslims have been guided in the Holy Quran with respect to those they can marry and those they cannot. The Holy Quran has clearly highlighted the injunction that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non Muslim man. The reason given in the verse is that, 'they invite you to the fire'.

This means that such a marriage may lead the Muslim spouse to the ways of disbelief, for the relations between the husband and the wife are not merely sexual but spiritual and cultural as well. It is possible that the Muslim spouse may influence the non Muslim spouse and the offspring in favor of the Islamic way of life. But it is equally possible that the non Muslim spouse may imbue the Muslim spouse and the offspring with the spirit and ways of disbelief. Most probably as a result of such a marriage, a mixture of Islam and Non Islam will be bred in such a family. A non Muslim might approve of this, but a Muslim cannot afford to do so as a monotheist. One who sincerely believes in Islam can never take such a risk merely for the sake of the gratification of the lust.

And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan