Fatwa: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (May Allah have mercy on him)
Question:
Is it permissible for a Muslim maiden to marry a Christian man who has professed Islam for her sake? This is because a Christian has expressed his desire to marry a Muslim woman, informing her that he will soon abandon his religion and embrace Islam. Please clarify this matter. I also know that I am the reason for this person's conversion to Islam.
Answer:
It is absolutely forbidden for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim. The Holy Qur'an states:
لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ
[60-الممتحنة:10]
"Those (believing) women are not lawful for them, nor are they lawful for those (disbelievers)."
In another verse, it is mentioned:
وَلَا تَنْكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ
[2-البقرة:221]
"And do not give your daughters in marriage to polytheists until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he may please you."
If a disbeliever converts to Islam and proves himself to be a good Muslim, then marrying him is permissible. However, it is essential to assess him before marriage: does he adhere to prayers, fasting, and other acts of worship? Is he acquiring knowledge of the Qur'an and other Islamic laws? Has he abandoned polytheism, alcohol, and other unlawful things? Has he changed his religion on his residency permit, passport, and identification card? In every aspect of life—travel, personal matters, etc.—has he truly abandoned his former religion?
After his conversion to Islam, it is crucial to wait long enough to ensure that he is genuinely a Muslim. All of this is to prevent him from using Islam as a pretext for marriage and then reverting to disbelief once his goal is achieved. If he commits apostasy, he is to be executed. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من بدل دينه فاقتلوه
[Al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Chapter 149]
"Whoever changes his religion (Islam) must be killed."
Question:
Is it permissible for a Muslim maiden to marry a Christian man who has professed Islam for her sake? This is because a Christian has expressed his desire to marry a Muslim woman, informing her that he will soon abandon his religion and embrace Islam. Please clarify this matter. I also know that I am the reason for this person's conversion to Islam.
Answer:
It is absolutely forbidden for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim. The Holy Qur'an states:
لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ
[60-الممتحنة:10]
"Those (believing) women are not lawful for them, nor are they lawful for those (disbelievers)."
In another verse, it is mentioned:
وَلَا تَنْكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ
[2-البقرة:221]
"And do not give your daughters in marriage to polytheists until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he may please you."
If a disbeliever converts to Islam and proves himself to be a good Muslim, then marrying him is permissible. However, it is essential to assess him before marriage: does he adhere to prayers, fasting, and other acts of worship? Is he acquiring knowledge of the Qur'an and other Islamic laws? Has he abandoned polytheism, alcohol, and other unlawful things? Has he changed his religion on his residency permit, passport, and identification card? In every aspect of life—travel, personal matters, etc.—has he truly abandoned his former religion?
After his conversion to Islam, it is crucial to wait long enough to ensure that he is genuinely a Muslim. All of this is to prevent him from using Islam as a pretext for marriage and then reverting to disbelief once his goal is achieved. If he commits apostasy, he is to be executed. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من بدل دينه فاقتلوه
[Al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Chapter 149]
"Whoever changes his religion (Islam) must be killed."
