Interfaith marriage in Islam

Interfaith marriages are recognized between Muslims and non-Muslim People of the Book (usually enumerated as Jews, Christians, and Sabians[2]).

Interfaith marriage between Muslims and Christians is discussed in the Ashtiname of Muhammad, a treaty between Muslims and Christians that was recorded between Muhammad and Saint Catherine's Monastery, which is depicted in this icon.[1]

Islam permits marriage between Muslim men and women who are People of the Book (Jews and Christians); in the case of a Muslim-Christian marriage, which is to be contracted only after permission from the Christian party, the Christian spouse is not to be prevented from attending church for prayer and worship, according to the Ashtiname of Muhammad, a treaty between Muslims and Christians recorded between Muhammad and Saint Catherine's Monastery.[1][3]

In some societies outside the traditional dar al-islam, interfaith marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims are not uncommon, including marriages that contradict the historic Sunni understanding of ijma (the consensus of fuqāha) as to the bounds of legitimacy.[4] In the United States, for example, about one in ten Muslim women are married to non-Muslims, including about one in six Muslim women under 40 and about 20% of Muslim women who describe themselves as less devoutly religious.[5] The tradition of progressive Islam, however, permits marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men; Islamic scholars opining this view include Khaleel Mohammed, Hassan Al-Turabi, among others.[6]

More recently, studies have also been undertaken about attitudes towards interfaith marriages in Muslim majority countries.[7]

In Lebanon, a Muslim man can only marry a Christian woman if she converts to Islam.

Marriage of Muslim men to non-Muslim women
See also: Marital conversion § Islam

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),[8]

"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 women from the People of the Book (i.e. the Jews and Christians).

The Quran (2:221)[9] also states,

"And do not marry Polytheist women until they believe, And a believing slave woman is better than a Polytheist women, even though she might please you. And do not marry Polytheist men until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a Polytheist men, 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 man is not allowed to marry women who is polytheist unless she becomes Muslim.

Having all the above verses taken into account, it can be concluded that Muslim men can marry non-Muslim women with following conditions:

  • Muslim men can marry the woman from the People of the Book (i.e. the Jews and Christians).
  • Muslim men cannot marry polytheistic women unless she converts.

Though historic Sunni Islam prohibits Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men in Islam, in parts of the diaspora, interfaith marriages between Muslim women and non-Muslims take place at substantial rates, contravening the traditional Sunni understanding of ijma. For example, in the United States, about 10% of Muslims are married to non-Muslims.[10] The tradition of progressive Islam does permit marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men; Islamic scholars opining this view include Khaleel Mohammed, Hassan Al-Turabi, among others.[6]

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 man, 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.[11] 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,[12] at least if the spouse is a Christian or Jewish woman. Turkey allows marriages to non-Muslim men through secular laws.[13] 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).[14]

See also

References
  1. Ahmed, Akbar S. (11 January 2013). Postmodernism and Islam: Predicament and Promise. Routledge. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-134-92417-2. The Quran speaks favourably of the people of the Book. For example, Surah 3, verse 199, carries a universal message of goodwill and hope to all those who believe, the people of the Book irrespective of their religious label--Christian, Jew or Muslim. Muslims can marry with the people of the Book,
  2. John L. Esposito, ed. (2014). "Ahl al-Kitab". The Oxford Dictionary of Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195125580.001.0001. ISBN 9780195125580.
  3. Timani, Hussam S.; Ashton, Loye Sekihata (29 November 2019). Post-Christian Interreligious Liberation Theology. Springer Nature. p. 196. ISBN 978-3-030-27308-8.
  4. Ghouse, Mike (8 February 2017). "Can A Muslim Woman Marry A Non-Muslim Man?". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  5. http://www.pewforum.org/2017/07/26/identity-assimilation-and-community/pf_2017-06-26_muslimamericans-02new-04/
  6. Jahangir, Junaid (21 March 2017). "Muslim Women Can Marry Outside The Faith". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  7. Jana Van Niekerk & Maykel Verkuyten (2018) Interfaith marriage attitudes in Muslim majority countries: A multilevel approach, The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 28:4, 257-270. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10508619.2018.1517015
  8. "The Noble Qur'an". quran.com. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  9. "The Noble Qur'an". quran.com. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  10. http://www.pewforum.org/2017/07/26/identity-assimilation-and-community/pf_2017-06-26_muslimamericans-02new-04/
  11. The Need to Unify Personal Status Laws in Arab Countries Archived April 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "More Lebanese opting for civil marriage abroad | News , Lebanon News". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  13. TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY LOVING: NATIONALITY, GENDER, AND RELIGION IN THE MUSLIM WORLD Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
  14. Marriage Procedures Between Muslim and Non-Muslim Archived August 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
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