❀ Question ❀
If a Muslim man wants to marry a Christian woman, what beliefs must she hold regarding Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام, Maryam عليها السلام, and other Prophets? Some scholars claim that Christians today are no longer considered “People of the Book” because they believe in the Bible. Kindly clarify this matter in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah. جزاكم الله خيرا✔ Ruling on Marrying a Christian Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
Islamic law permits marriage with chaste women from among the People of the Book. Allah ﷻ says:﴿وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ﴾
[Al-Māʾidah: 5]
“The food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. [Lawful in marriage are] the chaste women from among the believers and the chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you.”
This verse clearly permits marriage with women from the People of the Book, provided they are chaste and do not uphold beliefs that fall into polytheism (shirk).
✔ Necessary Beliefs and Conditions for a Christian Woman
❖ ① Freedom from Shirk (Polytheism):If the Christian woman believes that Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام is the son of Allah, or Maryam عليها السلام is the wife of Allah, or believes in the Trinity (three gods), then such a woman cannot be married because these beliefs constitute shirk. Allah ﷻ strictly forbids marriage with polytheist women:
﴿وَلَا تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ﴾
[Al-Baqarah: 221]
“Do not marry polytheist women until they believe.”
❖ ② Chastity is Mandatory:
The Christian woman must be chaste and not involved in fornication. Marriage with an unchaste woman is contrary to Islamic teachings.
❖ ③ Respect for Tawḥīd and Prophethood:
Even if she believes in Trinity, it is essential that she respects the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Qur’an. Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما stated:
"I do not know of any greater act of polytheism than one who says her Lord is ʿĪsā ibn Maryam."
✔ Are Christians Today Still People of the Book?
Modern Christian beliefs have significantly deviated, with most adhering to the Trinity or the belief that Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام is the son of God. These beliefs amount to shirk, rendering marriage with them impermissible.✔ Belief in the Bible and the Concept of People of the Book
The term “People of the Book” refers to those who believed in the original, unaltered divine scriptures such as the Torah and Injīl. Today’s Christians follow a distorted version of these texts, which distances them from the authentic identity of the People of the Book.❀ Summary ❀
◉ Marriage with a Christian woman is permitted only if:✔ She is chaste.
✔ She is free from shirk.
◉ If she believes:
✘ Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام is the son of Allah,
✘ Maryam عليها السلام is Allah’s wife, or
✘ In the doctrine of Trinity —
then marriage is prohibited.
◉ Most Christians today hold polytheistic beliefs, making marriage with them impermissible under Islamic law.
◉ It is essential to verify the beliefs of a Christian woman before considering marriage. If her beliefs involve shirk, the marriage is forbidden.
May Allah grant us correct understanding and guide us to act upon it. Āmīn.
