This excerpt is taken from Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi's book Halal and Haram in Islam, translated into Urdu by Muhammad Tahir Naqqash.
Polytheist Women
Marriage with polytheist women is also forbidden. A polytheist woman means an idol-worshipping woman, for example, the polytheist women of Arabia and other similar women.
The command of Allah Almighty is:
وَلَا تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا ۚ وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ
"And do not marry polytheist women until they believe. A believing slave woman is better than a free polytheist woman, even though you may like her. And do not give your women in marriage to polytheist men until they believe. A believing slave man is better than a free polytheist man, even though he may please you. Those invite to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and forgiveness by His permission."
Reference: (Al-Baqarah: 221)
This verse clearly states that the marriage of a Muslim woman to a polytheist man is not permissible. The reason is that there is a wide gulf of differences between the two religions.
One group calls towards Paradise and the other towards the Fire.
He believes in Allah, the Messenger, and the Hereafter, while the other associates partners with Allah, denies prophethood, and rejects the Hereafter. The marital bond is a source of peace and affection, but how can these two extremes, which are far apart, come together?
Marriage by Book (Katabiya Marriage)
Marriage with Jews and Christians, who are People of the Book, has been permitted by the Quran due to their status as People of the Book. Special instructions have been given regarding dealings with them. Although they have altered their religion, they still follow a divine religion. Just as Islam has permitted their slaughtered animals, it has also permitted establishing marital relations with their women. Allah Almighty says:
وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ
"The chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you are lawful for you."
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah: 5)
This is a rare example of Islamic tolerance that is hardly found in other religions and communities. Despite declaring the People of the Book as disbelievers and misguided, Islam has made it permissible for a Muslim to have a wife from among the People of the Book, a mistress of his household with whom he can find peace, who can be his confidante, and who can be the mother of his children. Islam has permitted this, and regarding the relationship of marriage, the Quran states:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً
"And among His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy."
Reference: (Ar-Rum: 21)
Here, it is necessary to caution that a devout Muslim woman who has a deep attachment to the religion is better for a Muslim than a Muslim woman who has inherited Islam merely as a legacy. Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught this. He said:
فأظفر بذات الدين تربت يداك
"Marry the religious woman, for that will be successful for you. May your hands be dusty (may you work hard)." (If you do not do so)
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Equality in Religion, Hadith: 5090; Muslim, Book of Breastfeeding, Chapter on the Recommendation of Marrying a Religious Woman, Hadith: 1466
This also clarifies that a Muslim woman, no matter what her condition, is better for a Muslim man than a woman from the People of the Book. Moreover, if a Muslim man fears for the faith and upbringing of his children from such a wife, then for the sake of religion, it becomes necessary to avoid her and protect oneself from such fear. Additionally, if the number of Muslim men in a country is low, then in such a case, it is not appropriate for Muslim men to marry women from the People of the Book. Because if Muslim men leave their Muslim women and marry women from the People of the Book, while Muslim women can only marry Muslim men, it would cause hardship for Muslim girls who would have no one to marry them and would remain idle. This situation is very harmful to the Muslim society, and the remedy for this harm is possible only by considering this permissible matter conditional and suspending its practice for a certain period.
Marriage of a Muslim Woman to a Non-Muslim
It is forbidden for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim, whether the non-Muslim is from the People of the Book or not. Under no circumstances is it permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim. Allah Almighty says:
وَلَا تُنْكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنُوا
“Do not marry your women to polytheists until they believe.”
Reference: (Al-Baqarah: 221)
And regarding believing emigrant women, He said:
فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ
“When you know that the believing women have come, do not send them back to the disbelievers. They are not lawful for the disbelievers, nor are the disbelievers lawful for them.”
Reference: (Al-Mumtahina: 10)
No text has been revealed that exempts the People of the Book from this ruling, therefore there is consensus among Muslims on its prohibition. Islam has permitted Muslim men to marry Jewish and Christian women, but Muslim women are not permitted to marry Jews or Christians. The reason is that the man is the head of the household and the protector of the woman, and he is responsible for her. Furthermore, it is a fact that Islam guarantees freedom of belief to a wife from the People of the Book and defines her rights through Shariah laws and rulings, protecting her sanctity. However, other religions such as Judaism and Christianity do not guarantee any freedom or protect the rights of a wife belonging to another religion. In such a case, how can Islam risk the future of its daughters? How can it entrust them to people who neither respect kinship ties nor keep their promises regarding the religion of these women?
In fact, a man should respect the faith of his wife so that better relations can be maintained between them. As for the Muslim’s belief, it considers Judaism and Christianity as revealed religions despite their distortions, believes in the Torah and the Gospel, and accepts the resolute messengers such as Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). Therefore, it is not difficult for a woman from the People of the Book to live alongside a man who respects her original religion, her scripture, and her prophet, and not only respects but also believes that faith is not valid without accepting their words. On the contrary, Jews and Christians do not acknowledge Islam, neither its scripture nor its prophet. So how is it possible for a Muslim woman to live under the protection of a man who holds such beliefs? While the religion of a Muslim woman demands from her certain rituals, worships, duties, and obligations, and declares many things lawful and many unlawful? In such a case, it is impossible for a Muslim woman to protect her faith and religion when the man, as the protector, completely denies it.
Here the wisdom of Islam becomes apparent as to why it has declared marriage between a Muslim and a polytheist idolater forbidden! The fact is that Islam is strongly opposed to polytheism and idol worship. Therefore, how can peace, affection, and mercy be established between spouses?
