Alsiraj Official Website
Womens' Rights in Islam
Why can’t a Muslim woman marry a non-Muslim man
In Islam a Muslim man can not marry a non Muslim woman unless she is Christian or Jewish. He is not allowed to marry a non-Muslim woman believing in any religion other than these two religions. However, the Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a non-Muslim man even if he was a Christian or a Jew.
The proof for this are the following verses from the Holy Quran which says: "This day (all) the good things are allowed to you; and the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them; and the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the Book before you (are lawful for you); when you have given them their dowries, taking (them) in marriage, not fornicating nor taking them for paramours in secret; and whoever denies faith, his work indeed is of no account, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers." (Al-Maaedah : 5)
Imam al-Tabari said in his commentary on this verse:
"and the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the Book before you" means, free woman among those whom have been given the book, namely the Jews and Christians who believe in what is in the Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel), whether from among the Arabs or other people; you are permitted to marry them "when you have given them their dowries" which means, if you give to those whom you marry of your (Muslims’) chaste women and their (Jews’ and Christians’) chaste women their dowries." - (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 6/104)
But it is not permissible for a Muslim man to marry a Magian (Zoroastrian) woman or an idol-worshipping woman, etc.
The evidence for that is the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And do not marry Al-Mushrikaat (idolatresses) till they believe (worship Allaah Alone). And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) Mushrikah (idolatress), even though she pleases you" (al-Baqarah 2:221)
It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim from any other religion, whether from among the Jews or Christians, or any other religion. It is not permissible for her to marry a Jew, a Christian, a Magian, an idol-worshipper… etc.
The evidence for that is the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures 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." (al-Baqarah 2:221)
The reason for this is that Islam highly regards the marital bond between the man and his wife and marital life must be based on a solid foundation.
Allah Almighty says in a Quranic verse
"And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect." (Alrum : 21)
When a Muslim man is married to a Christian or a Jewish woman, he is ordered by Islam to respect her religion and he is not allowed to prevent her from practicing her religious rites and he should not stop her from going to church or temple. This respectful attitude is a guarantee that protects the family from falling apart.
However when a Muslim woman marries a non-Muslim, respect for her religion is not guaranteed because a Muslim believes in all the Prophets and respects Christianity and Judaism, however non-Muslims may not believe in the Prophet of Islam. By that, a Muslim woman is not guaranteed to have her freedom in practicing her religious rites and she would have to live with a man who does not respect her religion. This attitude will sooner or later cause the family to fall apart. So it is actually one rule which is to guarantee that both the husband and the wife would respect each others belief. If this rule is not guaranteed then it is better to stop a relation that would result in nothing but wrecked families.
|
|
|