3 Shar‘i Guidelines on Marriage with a Rāfiḍī (Shi‘a) Individual ❖ Question:
Is it permissible in Islam to marry a Shi‘a boy or girl?
What is the Shar‘i ruling on marrying a Rāfiḍī (Shi‘a)?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Bahith Nu‘man Khaliq (حفظه الله)
Fadhilat al-‘Ālim Abdullah ‘Azzam (حفظه الله)
Quotation from Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله):
“الرافضة المحضة هم أهل أهواء وبدع وضلال، ولا ينبغي للمسلم أن يزوِّج موليته من رافضي. وإن تزوج هو رافضية: صح النكاح، إن كان يرجو أن تتوب، وإلا فترك نكاحها أفضل؛ لئلا تفسد عليه ولده.”
(Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā 32/61)
Translation:
“Pure Rāfiḍīs are people of desires, innovation, and misguidance.
A Muslim should not give his female ward in marriage to a Rāfiḍī.
If a man marries a Rāfiḍī woman, the marriage is valid only if there is hope for her repentance.
If there is no such hope, then it is better not to marry her, lest she misguide his children.”
❖ 3 Key Shar‘i Guidelines:
➊ Rāfiḍīs Are Considered People of Innovation and Misguidance
✔ Pure Rāfiḍīs (those who reject the majority of the Sahabah and hold extreme beliefs) are deviant and misguided.
✔ According to scholars, such individuals fall under the category of Ahl al-Ahwā’ wa al-Bida‘ (people of innovation and desires).
A guardian must not give a woman under his care in marriage to a Rāfiḍī man.➋ Marriage to a Rāfiḍī Woman: Validity Depends on Her Beliefs
✔ If a Sunni man marries a Rāfiḍī woman, the Nikah is technically valid—only if there is hope she will repent.
✖ If there is no hope of repentance, it is better to avoid marrying her, to protect one's religion and offspring from being misled.
➌ Case of a Non-Kāfir Shi‘a Individual
✔ If the Shi‘a individual does not hold beliefs that are outright Kufr, then marriage is permissible.
✖ However, if the person holds clear Kufri beliefs, such as:
- Insulting the Companions (رضي الله عنهم)
- Believing in distortion (تحريف) of the Qur’an
- Rejecting the finality of Prophethood
Then Nikah is strictly forbidden.
Even when technically valid, avoidance is always the safer and preferred approach.
Conclusion:
◈ Rāfiḍīs are generally categorized among deviant sects, and marrying them is highly discouraged.
◈ Guardians must avoid giving women in marriage to Rāfiḍī men.
◈ If there is clear deviation or kufr, Nikah is invalid.
◈ Even when not kufr, avoiding such a marriage is better for faith and family preservation.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
