the Misconception about Marriage to a non-Muslim

Reply to the Misconception about Marriage to a non-Muslim

Fifth: Banning a female Muslim to marry a non-Muslim is an infringement against the human rights, and especially, her personal freedom, which permits the individual to marry whom she likes.

The reply:

The Islamic rational understanding behind this restriction of the freedom of marriage is essentially the preservation and the maintenance of the family unit in Islamic society. Islam aims at protecting the family against dissolving by divorce because of the difference in religion between the two spouses. A husband may very well demonstrate a strong sense of disrespect of the wife's faith and principles of belief, as he thinks that he is more dominant member of the family. In addition, the wife may also feel that she is weaker and more sensitive as it concerns her faith in the family.

The following three cases will explain this situation. However, all these three cases stem from the same principle, which we pointed out in the previous paragraph.

1st Case: A male Muslim marries to an idolater or an atheist. Islam bans such a marriage because the Islamic Faith does not, in any way, respect the Faith of an idolater. Thus, the entire family will be in a continuous dispute and fight. Islam, moreover, considers divorce one of the most hated or disdainful acts, in the Sight of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). Therefore, Islam discourages a marriage where a husband will not show consideration to the principles of Faith of the wife and her family. Consequently, such a problematic marriage, most likely, will end up with divorce, which will lead to the dissolution of an existing Islamic family. Islam, rather, discourages the dissolving of a Muslim family, as pointed out earlier. Therefore, Islam, in principle, eliminates the reason, which will lead to anticipated family problem.

2nd Case: Islam permits a male Muslim to marry a Christians or a Jewish wife because Islam accepts the Message of Jesus u as a Prophet and Messenger from Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), who was born miraculously, by the Will of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). Similarly, Islam accepts the Message of Prophet Moses (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) considering him a Prophet and Messenger to the Israelites. Therefore, a Christians or a Jewish wife, who is keen to maintain her Faith as a Christians or a Jew, will not confront identical problem in this regard. Regardless of difference in the principles of faith, belief and religion, the marriage will continue and the family will prosper if all goes well between the two spouses, God willing.

3rd Case: Islam bans the marriage of a man with a Muslim female because the Christian person or the Jew denies the Message of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In fact, such individuals may talk derogatory about the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), a situation that causes hatred, problems and dislike between the two spouses. Such attitudes will lead to a dispute and differences between the two spouses. Eventually it will lead to the breakage of the family by divorce. Based on this, Islam bans the marriage that eventually leads to divorce.