WOMAN-MARRYING NON-MUSLIM MAN

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In the name of Allāh,
the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Peace and Blessings of Allāh on Mohammad.
DEDICATED TO
Allāh–the Glorious and the High,
Lord of the worlds
AND TO
Mohammad–who brought the world
to our feet and eternity to our arms.
*

    MUSLIM WOMEN MARRYING NON-MUSLIM MEN
Does Islam permit marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man? Does the Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim man renders her an adulterer/fornicator?

“And marry not the idolatresses until they believe; and certainly a believing maid is better than an idolatress even though she please you. Nor give (believing women) in marriage to idolaters until they believe, and certainly a believing slave is better than an idolater, even though he please you. These invite to the Fire and Allåh invites to the Garden and to forgiveness by His will and He makes clear His messages to men that they may be mindful”–(Allāh, Qur’an 2:221).

Prophet Mohammad is noted as saying: “A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman”–(Bokhari Vol. 7, #27; Muslim Vol. 2, #3457). Thus according to this teaching the paramount consideration of a Muslim is to marry for religion.

Allāh says Muslim women have rights as those against her: “And women have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, and men are a degree above them”–(Qur’an 2:228); and that Muslim men can marry Jewish and Christian women: “And the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.  And so are the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the Book before you”–(Qur’an 5:5).
   Noticeably, Allāh said Muslim men can marry Jewish and Christian women, He did not say Muslim women can marry Jewish and Christian men. In fact of the many places that marriage is mentioned in the Qur’an there is no mention of the Muslim woman being permitted to marry a non-Muslim man. As Muhammad Ali points out in his book The Religion Of Islam that

“while there is an express mention of a Muslim man marrying a non-Muslim woman who professes a revealed religion, there is no mention of the legality or illegality of a marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man. The mere fact however that the Qur’an speaks of the one and not of the other is sufficient to show that marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man is NOT allowed”–(pp. 597-598. Emphasis added. For this book and MA’s translation of the Qur’an see: www.muslim.org).  

   That woman has “rights” as those against her (as per Qur’an 2:228 above) is no argument for her to marry a non-Muslim man.
   That the Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman is NOT a “right” the man is seeking against the woman; this is a DIVINE DECREE as to what the Muslim man is allowed. Allāh has detailed the primary rights and duties of both man and woman.
   This “right” mentioned in Qur’an 2:228 relates to secondary matters such as personal and family affairs –for instance, if a husband dislikes his wife having certain individuals in the house that he is not comfortable with, likewise he is not to have such individuals in the house that the wife is uncomfortable with; This is equity in marriage –giving rights to others that you exact for yourself. (It is because of this lack of principle –giving rights to others that one exact for himself– that the world is wobbly like drunken rats).

   Qur’an 5:5 and 2:228 are about different matters. Qur’an 5:5 is about MARRIAGE, and Qur’an 2:228 is about MUTUAL RIGHTS after marriage.
   Further, whereas woman has rights with man in various avenues they do not have the same rights in all respects. For instance

-men are circumcised women are not
-men are Divinely decreed to maintain women, women are not Divinely decreed to maintain men–(Qur’an 2:228)
-men are given twice the inheritance as a woman’s (because he is maintainer of the family); women have the right to be believed (in the matter of her fidelity) over the man–(Qur’an 4:11, 177; 24:6-9)
-women’s witnessing ability in certain business transaction and under certain conditions is half of man’s–(Qur’an 2:282)
-men are allowed a limited polygamy of up to four wives; women are not allowed to have more than one husband–(Qur’an 4:3). It is doubtful a Muslim man or woman would submit that woman has the “right” to have four husbands (polyandry) because she has similar “rights” against man as he has on her. (See Islam-polygamy).  

   There are three reasons –social, moral, and spiritual– why Muslim women are not allowed to marry non-Muslim men:

   Social–Islam (not to be confused with un-Islamic practice of some Muslims) has given woman rights that no other religion has given her. By marrying into another religion, the Muslim woman is likely to lose these rights. Even though Jews, Christians, and Hindus may not be practicing their Scriptural laws on women (and heaven lies in following Scripture/God), and even though the Muslim woman may be practicing her faith, yet the Muslim woman in a “mixed-faith” marriage would have relegated herself to the lowly status her husband’s Scripture has subjected her. (See Christianity-women; Hinduism & women).

   Moral–As man, generally, is the captain of the house, his Muslim wife may be subjected to the indignity of preparing foods prohibited by Islam and catering to his alcoholic practice. Mostly, she may be coerced or even forced to conform to her husband’s religious belief. To apostatize from Islam is to retreat into religious imperfection (and even into religious darkness as certain doctrines have no Divine foundation) –as God’s favor to man was not “completed” and man’s religion not “perfected” until the advent of Prophet Mohammad: Qur’an 5:4– for no religion can be shown to be superior to, or equal with, Islam. Also, there may be dispute as to whose faith children are to be schooled –or no faith at all; which would be an abdication of her duty. (See next item).

   Spiritual–Allāh says: “The adulterer cannot have sexual relations with any but an adulteress or an idolatress, and the adulteress, none can have sexual relations with her but an adulterer or an idolater; and it is forbidden to believers”–(Qur’an 24:3. The Arabic word zina means sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each and covers both adultery and fornication). 
   Since the unchaste Muslim man/woman –even though a believer in Allah– is not allowed to have carnal relations with a chaste Muslim, it is a greater prohibition that a non-Muslim –a disbeliever in Allah– have intimacy with a chaste Muslim woman. Muslims are to have physical, moral, and spiritual purity. 
   Allāh requires Muslims to obey Him and the Prophet and to take whatever the Prophet gives us–(Qur’an 3:30-31; 4:69; 59:7 1):

   -The Prophet gave the Adhan (call to prayer, extolling the Unity, Glory, Greatness, and Grandeur of Allāh, God; which is the best National Anthem in the entire world) into the ear of the newborn–(Abu Dawud Vol. 3, #5086). Will the Christian father allow this “call”? or will he want the farcical phrase, “In the name of the Father, son, and Holy Ghost” be recited to the child (There is no documentation that Christ uttered such a phrase; Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:9-20 are “forgeries” in the Bible, see Bible corrupt & obsolete).

   -Islam requires the male child be circumcised. Will the Hindu husband agree to this?

   -The Prophet recommends Aqiqa for a child (thanks-giving to Allāh in which two sheep are slaughtered for a male child and one for a female) be performed–(Bokhari Vol. 7, #380; Abu Dawud Vol. 2, #2828-2837); in Christianity the child is “Christened” in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (and ascribing Divinity to Jesus and sonship to God is, as Allāh says, blasphemy, and its adherents are heading to hell–Qur’an 5:17, 72-73; 18:4-5; 19:88-91). So in whose faith will the child be initiated, Islam, Christianity, no faith?

-The Prophet enjoined that a child be taught to pray at the age of seven–(Abu Dawud Vol. 1, #495). Will the Christian father allow the child be taught Islam? Or will the Muslim wife be required to forego her Islamic duty and have the child raised a Christian? Or left till he is mature to choose his own faith?

-Mahr/dowry for the Muslim woman is compulsory–(Qur’an 4:4, 24-25; 5:5; Abu Dawud Vol. 2, #2979), and a sermon glorifying Allāh–(Mishkat Masabih 13:4-ii).2 If these conditions are not fulfilled then, from the Islamic perspective, seems the woman is not married and would be engaging in zina (adultery/fornication).

-Will this “mixed-faith” marriage be conducted in Islam AND the religion of the man or will it only be a “signature” wedding before a Justice of the peace?

If the marriage is a mixture of Islam and Christianity or Islam and Hinduism this would be a mixture of truth with falsehood (as there are no Divine doctrines as Trinity, inherited sin, and vicarious atonement; and Karma and Reincarnation)3. And Allāh prohibits the mixing of truth with falsehood–(Qur’an 2:42).

If the marriage is a mixture of Islam and Judaism this also would be improper, for though Judaism teaches the pure monotheism as Islam there is no Divine doctrine as “chosen people” to the exclusion of others based on race or nationality; and as Judaism was Divinely decreed to end upon the advent of Prophet Mohammad –and the Jewish Fathers knew that Mohammad was the Prophet foretold in the Bible (Qur’an 26:192-197; 46:10)– then, as Muhammad Ali states, “spiritually the Jewish religion has no future.” (See Judaism). Thus, for the Muslim woman to marry according to the rites of Judaism is to defy (knowingly or unknowingly) the decree of Allāh.

If the marriage is a “signature” one only, this would make the marriage, from the Islamic perspective, devoid of Divine prescription; (whereby jurists may conclude there is no marriage and the woman would be engaging in zina –adultery/fornication).  

When a chaste believing non-Muslim woman marries a chaste Muslim man he not only respects, honors and cherishes her but brings her into spiritual purity –into the Purity of God4– and gives her rights alongside man from the cradle all the way to Jannah/Paradise.5
   If the non-Muslim man was following the teachings of his prophet –not what is passing under the name of these prophets– he would be a Muslim; and would have no alternative but to take the further step and follow Mohammad.

Muslim women are not to convert to their non-Muslim husband’s religion. (That we all follow the same God is misleading. While there is only one God what is significant is one’s concept of God. For the Islamic concept of God, see Allah or HOME).
Muslim women are to enlighten their non-Muslim husbands:

Muslim women are to let their Christian husbands know that:
-Trinity puts God into the belly of a woman He created for nine months, growing into a fetus, brings Him out her vagina and had the Jews circumcised His foreskin (God forbid!); and has God needing to eat butter and honey “that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good”-(Isaiah 7:14-15)

-Son of God attributes the animal function of sex to God; as “fatherhood” requires the union of sperm and ovum; (and Jesus is only “CALLED” son of God-Luke 1:35); and makes him eat butter and honey “that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good”-(Isaiah 7:14-15)

-Inherited sin has God loading a man’s (Adam’s) sin onto innocent, helpless, and morally and mentally non-competent babies

-Vicarious atonement has God having a blameless man (Jesus) killed for the sin of others.
Which are blasphemies against God. And blasphemy against God leads to “eternal damnation”/Hell, as Jesus says: “he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation (unless he repents and follow Divine truth) -(Mark 3:29).   

As no religion can be shown to be superior to or equal with Islam, a non-Muslim man and woman –and even the atheist, as the atheist cannot disprove the existence of God which is proven in the Qur’an6– who believe in God and wish to go to heaven would not hesitate to accept Islam.7
   In enjoining that Muslims marry for religion Allāh IS being merciful to us.

Allāh loves us.
Allāh wants to guide us.
Allāh wants us to be pure.
Allāh wants us to have a life in Paradise.

*

Notably, whereas Islam allows marriage between a Muslim man and a Jewish and Christian woman, Judaism and Christianity prohibit “mixed” marriages altogether: “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son”–(Deut. 7:3); and Paul states: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”–(2 Cor. 6:14).(For more on Paul see Allāh and Jesus or Paul).

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Egyptian Muslim women who were “tempted” to “convert” to Christianity to “ameliorate their lot,” were deluded. Christianity does not “ameliorate” the lot of women.   Woman “received the worst treatment of all from Christianity,” as pointed out by Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din in his Open Letters to the Bishops of Salisbury & London, p. 71. 
The religion that condemns Woman to a life of subjection to her husband–(Gen. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:11-12); that she is made wife only to “avoid fornication”–(1 Cor. 7:2); that she was the transgressor, and a ‘defiler’ of man–(1 Tim. 2:14; Rev; 14:4); which reduces her to “woman, what have I to do with thee–(John 2:3-4), and sells her into bondage–(Exodus 21:7) –such a religion cannot be said to “ameliorate their lot.” (See Christianity-women).
Whatever lofty status the Christian Woman is enjoying is due only to the dictates of modern culture. Whereas Islam has ennobled Woman, liberated her, and given her rights unparalleled in the history of religions. The Muslim woman has nothing more for which to strive.

Islam is the Great Liberator of Woman.
In fact, Islam is the only Liberator Woman
has known.

                     NOTES

  1. Qur’an 59:7 states: “Whatever the Messenger gives you, accept it, and whatever he forbids you abstain (therefrom).” While this verse deals with “property acquired in war,” this injunction from Allāh is to be applied in all matters that the Prophet deems lawful and unlawful..
  2. Ali, Muhammad, The Religion Of Islam, pp. 608-609.
  3. Karma and Reincarnation; and Trinity, inherited sin, and vicarious atonement are not Divine doctrines. God did not reveal and Christ did not teach Trinity, inherited sin, and vicarious atonement; these doctrines are assumed and propagated as Divine truths. Trinity was invented by the Church three hundred years after Christ; and inherited sin and vicarious atonement were devised by Paul, and institutionalized by the Church three hundred years after Christ. See the topics on Christianity and on Jesus).

4 Belief in Allāh means: Allāh is One and Only; the Eternal, Absolute; on Whom all depend; He begets not; nor is begotten; there is none like Him; He incarnates not; has no “chosen people” to the exclusion of others; needs no “satisfaction” to forgive sins; belief in all His Angels; Books; Prophets; Resurrection; Judgment; Heaven and Hell.

While we are to believe in all His Scriptures, Allāh, God, has informed us what not to believe, such as: polytheism, idolatry, partnership with God, Trinity, sonship of God, inherited sin, vicarious atonement, karma, and reincarnation.

Faith does not mean acceptance of Allāh without proof of His existence. Allāh has proven His existence through the Qur’an. The Qur’an makes scientific pronouncements, prophecies and gives insights to the Doomsday. Maurice Bucaille on the Prophet Mohammad and the Qur’an:

“How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author, in terms of literary merit, in the whole of Arabic literature? How could he then pronounce truths of a scientific nature that no other human being could possibly have developed at the time, and all this without once making the slightest error in his pronouncements on the subject?”

“In view of the level of knowledge in Muhammad’s day, it is inconceivable that many of the statements in the Qur’an which are connected with science could have been the work of a man. It is, moreover, perfectly legitimate, not only to regard the Qur’an as the expression of a Revelation, but also to award it a very special place, on account of the guarantee of authenticity it provides and the presence in it of scientific statements which, when studied today, appear as a challenge to explanation in human terms.” (The Bible, The Qur’an and Science, pp. 125, 251-252).

  1. The Woman of Islam is not inferior. Woman is not of “lower birth” as Hinduism teaches–(Bhagavad Gita 9:32); nor is she of servility as Judaism and Christianity teach–(Gen. 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:11); nor is she guilty of “transgression” or defiler of man–(1 Timothy 2:14; Rev. 14:4); nor is she wife just “to avoid fornication” as the Bible says–(1 Cor. 7:2).

Allāh God tells us that both man and woman were created from the same medium–(Qur’an 4:1). That both Adam and Eve were deceived by the Devil–(Qur’an 2:36; 7:20-22). That He has established marriages between men and women–(Qur’an 25:54; 16:72; 24:32); created her to be his mate, that he might find peace and comfort in her, and has put between them love and compassion–(7:189; 30:21).
(That woman is a source of peace and comfort condemns the act of marital rape, for any man who forces himself upon his wife, abuses her, causes her distress, or places her under duress, he can not find peace and comfort in her).

Women can earn, and can inherit and own property–(Qur’an 4:32, 7, 177). Islam liberated woman–(2:187; 4:19-22); exalts her–(4:1; 9:71-72); and has given her equality with man in financial, property, moral and spiritual matters–(4:32, 7-10, 176-177; 3:195; 33:35).

Allāh says in His Qur’an He created man from a single soul and made woman from the same–(4:1; 7:189, this verse establishes that from the beginning women have equality with men); and has put love and compassion between them–(30:21); established marriages between men and women–(25:54; 16:72; 24:32); that women are to be honored–(4:1); that men and women are garments to the other (to protect, comfort, beautify, and to cover each other’s faults)–(2:187); women have rights similar to those against her–(2:228); she has rights to inheritance, and full control over her earnings–(4:7, 11, 177; 4:32); women have moral and spiritual equality with men –(3:194, 197; 24:30, 31, 55; 33:35;  49:13;  57:12, 18, 19); that women and men are protectors of one another–(9:71).

Islam esteems womanhood as the symbol of purity and motherhood as the gateway to Paradise. (For more on women see Islam-women).

  1.  See Qur’an-prophecies; Qur’an-science.
  1. That Christians also will go to heaven: Allāh says in Qur’an 2:62 and 5:69 “Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allåh and the Last Day and does good, they have their reward with their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve;” “Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians — whoever believes in Allåh and the Last Day and does good — they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.”

This refers to Jews, Christians and Sabians who followed their respective prophet’s teaching (which was “belief in Allāh” as the verse states), not teachings that are passing under the name of these prophets. This is made clear in Qur’an 22:17 in which Allāh says:  “Those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians and the Magians and the polytheists — surely Allåh will decide between them on the day of Resurrection. Surely Allåh is Witness over all things.”

Jews who reject Jesus and Mohammad (even though they know Mohammad is the Prophet foretold in their Scripture) and believe they are God’s “chosen people” to the exclusion of others and did not keep their covenant with Allah; and Christians who reject Mohammad and follow doctrines God did not reveal and Christ did not teach –Trinity, inherited sin, and vicarious atonement– will be decided upon by Allāh; and Allāh clearly states those who ascribe Divinity to Jesus and sonship to Him are blasphemers who will be punished.
And blasphemers are heading to hell, which is an “everlasting” “furnace of fire” that “never shall be quenched” in which is “wailing and gnashing of teeth,” as Jesus says–(Mark 3:29; 9:43; Matt. 18:8; 13:42).

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