Islam and Inter-Faith Marriages

[ZoyaHayat]

Dear People...

I was wondering what does Islam say about Inter-Faith Marriages?...

As being born into a Muslim family-i know Muslim Men are allowed to marry Jewish and Christian(People of the Books) Women without converting them to Islam...

What of a Muslim Woman-who would like to marry a Jewish or Christian Man?can she?if not-why not?...

It seems it's one rule for a Man and for Women an another :S...

xxx

 

[Gharib]

hi ZoyaHayat, nice question.
see if the following is helpful to you

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

First of all, it is to be stressed that Islam does not encourage the interfaith marriages. The general rule of Islam is that Muslims should marry Muslims. A Muslim male or female should not marry a non-Muslim male or female. The only exception is given to Muslim men who are allowed to marry the chaste girls from among the People of the Book.

However, a Muslim woman is better suited to a Muslim man than a woman of Christian or Jewish faith, regardless of her merits. This is because marriage is not based on fulfilling one’s sexual desires; rather, it is an institution. It aims to establish a home on the bases of tranquility, faith and Islamic morals. To fulfil this task, the whole family must apply Allah’s course and try to convey His message.

It is obvious that Islam made it impermissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim with aim of keeping her away from things that may jeopardize her faith. In fact, Islam aims at protecting religion. To achieve this goal, it prohibits a Muslim from being involved in something that represents a threat to his religion. A Muslim woman will not feel that her religion is secure while being with a Jewish or a Christian husband especially as the majority of the People of the Book do not show due respect to our Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Allah Almighty says: “And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! The guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper.” (Al-Baqarah: 120)

Given the fact that the husband is generally the head of the household, it's not far-fetched for a non-Muslim husband to prevent his Muslim wife from performing some Islamic rituals which may seem a nuisance to him, for example fasting, or even refraining from marital relations during the fast. As a result, he might force her to change her religion, and if she refuses, the situation may culminate in divorce.

As for why Islam allows a Muslim man to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, it's clear that every Muslim believes in Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) and he holds all the Prophets of Allah in high esteem. Thus a Muslim finds no harm in his wife’s being a Christian or a Jew, for the spirit of tolerance Islam holds for other religions is ingrained in him.

In his response to the question you raised, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti, member of the North American Fiqh Council, states:

"If Allah is the one who prohibits a Muslim woman from marrying a non-Muslim, then we as Muslims are supposed to believe it and to take it. As a matter of faith, you cannot become a Muslim unless you accept everything when it is ordained by Allah or carried out by his Messenger. The Qur'an says, "O Ye who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger…" (Al-Hujurat: )

If you ask about the benefits of not marrying a non-Muslim, we can count you many reasons. A man is the manager of his household. He will persecute his Muslim wife in many dos and don'ts. She can hardly guarantee that kind of operation. Moreover, marriage is an institution for elevating our levels of having a good Islamic life. Pleasing Allah is our number one goal. If a woman is married to a non-Muslim, maybe the only thing she will accomplish in her marital life is what is good for livestock."

Shedding more light on the question, we'd like to cite the words of the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheik Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam:

"It is haram for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man, regardless of whether he is of the People of the Book or not. We have already mentioned the saying of Allah, "...and do not marry (your girls) to idolaters until they believe..." (Al-Baqarah: 221)

And He said concerning the immigrant Muslim women: "Then if you know them to be Believers, do not send them back to the unbelievers. They are not lawful for them (as wives), nor are they lawful for them (as husbands)." (Al-Mumtahanah: 10)

No text exists which makes exceptions for the People of the Book. Hence, on the basis of the above verses, there is a consensus among Muslims concerning this prohibition.

Thus, while a Muslim man is permitted to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a Christian or Jewish man. There are many sound reasons for this difference. First, the man is the head of the household, the one who maintains the family, and he is responsible for his wife. And while Islam guarantees freedom of belief and practice to the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim, safeguarding her rights according to her own faith, other religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, do not guarantee the wife of a different faith freedom of belief and practice, nor do they safeguard her rights. Since this is the case, how can Islam take chances on the future of its daughters by giving them into the hands of people who neither honor their religion nor are concerned to protect their rights?

A marriage between a man and woman of different faiths can be based only on the husband's respect for his wife's beliefs; otherwise a good relationship can never develop. Now, the Muslim believes that both Judaism and Christianity originated in divine revelation, although later distortions were introduced into them. He also believes that God revealed the Tawrah to Moses and the Injeel to Jesus, and that both Moses and Jesus (peace be on them) were among the Messengers of Allah who were distinguished by their steadfast determination. Accordingly, the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim lives under the protection of a man who respects the basic tenets of her faith, her Scripture, and her Prophets, while in contrast to this the Jew or Christian recognizes neither the Divine origin of Islam, its Book, or its Prophet (peace be on him). How then could a Muslim woman live with such a man, while her religion requires of her the observance of certain worships, duties, and obligations, as well as certain prohibitions. It would be impossible for the Muslim woman to retain her respect for her beliefs as well as to practice her religion properly if she were opposed in this regard by the master of the house at every step.

It will be realized from this that Islam is consistent with itself in prohibiting the Muslim man to marry a mushrik (polytheist) woman, for since Islam is absolutely opposed to shirk (polytheism), it would obviously be impossible for two such people to live together in harmony and love."


Why a Muslim Woman Is Not Allowed to Marry a Non-Muslim Man - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
​

 

[aymen amir]

hi ZoyaHayat, nice question.
see if the following is helpful to you

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

First of all, it is to be stressed that Islam does not encourage the interfaith marriages. The general rule of Islam is that Muslims should marry Muslims. A Muslim male or female should not marry a non-Muslim male or female. The only exception is given to Muslim men who are allowed to marry the chaste girls from among the People of the Book.

However, a Muslim woman is better suited to a Muslim man than a woman of Christian or Jewish faith, regardless of her merits. This is because marriage is not based on fulfilling one’s sexual desires; rather, it is an institution. It aims to establish a home on the bases of tranquility, faith and Islamic morals. To fulfil this task, the whole family must apply Allah’s course and try to convey His message.

It is obvious that Islam made it impermissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim with aim of keeping her away from things that may jeopardize her faith. In fact, Islam aims at protecting religion. To achieve this goal, it prohibits a Muslim from being involved in something that represents a threat to his religion. A Muslim woman will not feel that her religion is secure while being with a Jewish or a Christian husband especially as the majority of the People of the Book do not show due respect to our Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Allah Almighty says: “And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! The guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper.” (Al-Baqarah: 120)

Given the fact that the husband is generally the head of the household, it's not far-fetched for a non-Muslim husband to prevent his Muslim wife from performing some Islamic rituals which may seem a nuisance to him, for example fasting, or even refraining from marital relations during the fast. As a result, he might force her to change her religion, and if she refuses, the situation may culminate in divorce.

As for why Islam allows a Muslim man to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, it's clear that every Muslim believes in Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) and he holds all the Prophets of Allah in high esteem. Thus a Muslim finds no harm in his wife’s being a Christian or a Jew, for the spirit of tolerance Islam holds for other religions is ingrained in him.

In his response to the question you raised, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti, member of the North American Fiqh Council, states:

"If Allah is the one who prohibits a Muslim woman from marrying a non-Muslim, then we as Muslims are supposed to believe it and to take it. As a matter of faith, you cannot become a Muslim unless you accept everything when it is ordained by Allah or carried out by his Messenger. The Qur'an says, "O Ye who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger…" (Al-Hujurat: )

If you ask about the benefits of not marrying a non-Muslim, we can count you many reasons. A man is the manager of his household. He will persecute his Muslim wife in many dos and don'ts. She can hardly guarantee that kind of operation. Moreover, marriage is an institution for elevating our levels of having a good Islamic life. Pleasing Allah is our number one goal. If a woman is married to a non-Muslim, maybe the only thing she will accomplish in her marital life is what is good for livestock."

Shedding more light on the question, we'd like to cite the words of the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheik Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam:

"It is haram for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man, regardless of whether he is of the People of the Book or not. We have already mentioned the saying of Allah, "...and do not marry (your girls) to idolaters until they believe..." (Al-Baqarah: 221)

And He said concerning the immigrant Muslim women: "Then if you know them to be Believers, do not send them back to the unbelievers. They are not lawful for them (as wives), nor are they lawful for them (as husbands)." (Al-Mumtahanah: 10)

No text exists which makes exceptions for the People of the Book. Hence, on the basis of the above verses, there is a consensus among Muslims concerning this prohibition.

Thus, while a Muslim man is permitted to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a Christian or Jewish man. There are many sound reasons for this difference. First, the man is the head of the household, the one who maintains the family, and he is responsible for his wife. And while Islam guarantees freedom of belief and practice to the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim, safeguarding her rights according to her own faith, other religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, do not guarantee the wife of a different faith freedom of belief and practice, nor do they safeguard her rights. Since this is the case, how can Islam take chances on the future of its daughters by giving them into the hands of people who neither honor their religion nor are concerned to protect their rights?

A marriage between a man and woman of different faiths can be based only on the husband's respect for his wife's beliefs; otherwise a good relationship can never develop. Now, the Muslim believes that both Judaism and Christianity originated in divine revelation, although later distortions were introduced into them. He also believes that God revealed the Tawrah to Moses and the Injeel to Jesus, and that both Moses and Jesus (peace be on them) were among the Messengers of Allah who were distinguished by their steadfast determination. Accordingly, the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim lives under the protection of a man who respects the basic tenets of her faith, her Scripture, and her Prophets, while in contrast to this the Jew or Christian recognizes neither the Divine origin of Islam, its Book, or its Prophet (peace be on him). How then could a Muslim woman live with such a man, while her religion requires of her the observance of certain worships, duties, and obligations, as well as certain prohibitions. It would be impossible for the Muslim woman to retain her respect for her beliefs as well as to practice her religion properly if she were opposed in this regard by the master of the house at every step.

It will be realized from this that Islam is consistent with itself in prohibiting the Muslim man to marry a mushrik (polytheist) woman, for since Islam is absolutely opposed to shirk (polytheism), it would obviously be impossible for two such people to live together in harmony and love."


Why a Muslim Woman Is Not Allowed to Marry a Non-Muslim Man - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
​

well said

 

[ZoyaHayat]

hi ZoyaHayat, nice question.
see if the following is helpful to you

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. ​

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. ​

Dear sister in Islam, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake. ​

First of all, it is to be stressed that Islam does not encourage the interfaith marriages. The general rule of Islam is that Muslims should marry Muslims. A Muslim male or female should not marry a non-Muslim male or female. The only exception is given to Muslim men who are allowed to marry the chaste girls from among the People of the Book. ​

However, a Muslim woman is better suited to a Muslim man than a woman of Christian or Jewish faith, regardless of her merits. This is because marriage is not based on fulfilling one’s sexual desires; rather, it is an institution. It aims to establish a home on the bases of tranquility, faith and Islamic morals. To fulfil this task, the whole family must apply Allah’s course and try to convey His message. ​

It is obvious that Islam made it impermissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim with aim of keeping her away from things that may jeopardize her faith. In fact, Islam aims at protecting religion. To achieve this goal, it prohibits a Muslim from being involved in something that represents a threat to his religion. A Muslim woman will not feel that her religion is secure while being with a Jewish or a Christian husband especially as the majority of the People of the Book do not show due respect to our Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). ​

Allah Almighty says: “And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! The guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper.” (Al-Baqarah: 120) ​

Given the fact that the husband is generally the head of the household, it's not far-fetched for a non-Muslim husband to prevent his Muslim wife from performing some Islamic rituals which may seem a nuisance to him, for example fasting, or even refraining from marital relations during the fast. As a result, he might force her to change her religion, and if she refuses, the situation may culminate in divorce. ​

As for why Islam allows a Muslim man to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, it's clear that every Muslim believes in Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) and he holds all the Prophets of Allah in high esteem. Thus a Muslim finds no harm in his wife’s being a Christian or a Jew, for the spirit of tolerance Islam holds for other religions is ingrained in him. ​

In his response to the question you raised, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti, member of the North American Fiqh Council, states: ​

"If Allah is the one who prohibits a Muslim woman from marrying a non-Muslim, then we as Muslims are supposed to believe it and to take it. As a matter of faith, you cannot become a Muslim unless you accept everything when it is ordained by Allah or carried out by his Messenger. The Qur'an says, "O Ye who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger…" (Al-Hujurat: ) ​

If you ask about the benefits of not marrying a non-Muslim, we can count you many reasons. A man is the manager of his household. He will persecute his Muslim wife in many dos and don'ts. She can hardly guarantee that kind of operation. Moreover, marriage is an institution for elevating our levels of having a good Islamic life. Pleasing Allah is our number one goal. If a woman is married to a non-Muslim, maybe the only thing she will accomplish in her marital life is what is good for livestock." ​

Shedding more light on the question, we'd like to cite the words of the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheik Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam: ​

"It is haram for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man, regardless of whether he is of the People of the Book or not. We have already mentioned the saying of Allah, "...and do not marry (your girls) to idolaters until they believe..." (Al-Baqarah: 221) ​

And He said concerning the immigrant Muslim women: "Then if you know them to be Believers, do not send them back to the unbelievers. They are not lawful for them (as wives), nor are they lawful for them (as husbands)." (Al-Mumtahanah: 10) ​

No text exists which makes exceptions for the People of the Book. Hence, on the basis of the above verses, there is a consensus among Muslims concerning this prohibition. ​

Thus, while a Muslim man is permitted to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a Christian or Jewish man. There are many sound reasons for this difference. First, the man is the head of the household, the one who maintains the family, and he is responsible for his wife. And while Islam guarantees freedom of belief and practice to the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim, safeguarding her rights according to her own faith, other religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, do not guarantee the wife of a different faith freedom of belief and practice, nor do they safeguard her rights. Since this is the case, how can Islam take chances on the future of its daughters by giving them into the hands of people who neither honor their religion nor are concerned to protect their rights? ​

A marriage between a man and woman of different faiths can be based only on the husband's respect for his wife's beliefs; otherwise a good relationship can never develop. Now, the Muslim believes that both Judaism and Christianity originated in divine revelation, although later distortions were introduced into them. He also believes that God revealed the Tawrah to Moses and the Injeel to Jesus, and that both Moses and Jesus (peace be on them) were among the Messengers of Allah who were distinguished by their steadfast determination. Accordingly, the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim lives under the protection of a man who respects the basic tenets of her faith, her Scripture, and her Prophets, while in contrast to this the Jew or Christian recognizes neither the Divine origin of Islam, its Book, or its Prophet (peace be on him). How then could a Muslim woman live with such a man, while her religion requires of her the observance of certain worships, duties, and obligations, as well as certain prohibitions. It would be impossible for the Muslim woman to retain her respect for her beliefs as well as to practice her religion properly if she were opposed in this regard by the master of the house at every step. ​

It will be realized from this that Islam is consistent with itself in prohibiting the Muslim man to marry a mushrik (polytheist) woman, for since Islam is absolutely opposed to shirk (polytheism), it would obviously be impossible for two such people to live together in harmony and love." ​

Why a Muslim Woman Is Not Allowed to Marry a Non-Muslim Man - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar​

Thank you Eselam for your contribution ...

You mentioned a verse from the Holy Quraan:
"...and do not marry (your girls) to idolaters until they believe..." (Al-Baqarah: 221...

It states clearly by that Holy Quraanic verse you stated in your post-Muslim Women cant marry any Men who are Idolatorers(those who does not belive in Monotheism)...as Sikhism,Judaism,Christianity and Hinduism(only a certain sect within Hinduism who are Monotheists) renounce Idolatry as a sin and are Monotheistic Faiths-then does that mean a Muslim Woman can marry any of them Monothiestic Men of those Monotheist Faiths?

xxx

 

[ZoyaHayat]

well said

Aymen amir i dont think so it was 'well said' :S...

It does'nt make sense because of many reasons...

Sikhism is a Monotheistic Faith...

Judaism is too...

So is Christianity...

and a certain sect in Hinduism is Monotheist...

So the basic princliple of Thauheed(Oneness of God-Monotheism) is there...these very religions shun Idol worship...

So why cant a Muslim Woman marry any of the above mentioned Monotheist Man of there respective religion?

xxx

 

[A-ManESL]

"It is haram for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man, regardless of whether he is of the People of the Book or not. We have already mentioned the saying of Allah, "...and do not marry (your girls) to idolaters until they believe..." (Al-Baqarah: 221) ​

And He said concerning the immigrant Muslim women: "Then if you know them to be Believers, do not send them back to the unbelievers. They are not lawful for them (as wives), nor are they lawful for them (as husbands)." (Al-Mumtahanah: 10) ​

No text exists which makes exceptions for the People of the Book. Hence, on the basis of the above verses, there is a consensus among Muslims concerning this prohibition. ​

Salaam esalam, how do u do.

I agree with you esalam that this is prevailing consensus, which I disagree with BTW. If this was in the general debates section, perhaps I would state my views more clearly. (Perhaps this is one of the things that justify my anarchist label.)

I can see a few flaws in your argument though:
1.The verse 2:221 clearly refers to the pagan Arabs, and I believe it is standard Islamic practice that things which are not explicitly prohibited are allowed. Moreovers, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, and even Hindus etc are not idolators in the sense referred to in the verse.

2.It is my contention that the second verse is also being interpreted incorrectly. It needs to be examined in the historical context, and is again referring to the pagan Arabs. See 49:14 for example. Since that verse clearly states that all Muslim(submitting) Arabs are not believers, so the logical conclusion is that all their marriages are invalidated as well. This is of course not the case. I believe, that verses are picked out of line here.

​

 

[ZoyaHayat]

Salaam esalam, how do u do.

I agree with you esalam that this is prevailing consensus, which I disagree with BTW. If this was in the general debates section, perhaps I would state my views more clearly. (Perhaps this is one of the things that justify my anarchist label.)

I can see a few flaws in your argument though:
1.The verse 2:221 clearly refers to the pagan Arabs, and I believe it is standard Islamic practice that things which are not explicitly prohibited are allowed. Moreovers, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, and even Hindus etc are not idolators in the sense referred to in the verse.

2.It is my contention that the second verse is also being interpreted incorrectly. It needs to be examined in the historical context, and is again referring to the pagan Arabs. See 49:14 for example. Since that verse clearly states that all Muslim(submitting) Arabs are not believers, so the logical conclusion is that all their marriages are invalidated as well. This is of course not the case. I believe, that verses are picked out of line here.

A-ManESL i agree with you xxx

Does that mean a Muslim Woman can marry a Jewish/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist Man?

xxx

 

[Madhuri]

Actually many would argue that Christianity is polytheistic. Especially earlier in history Christians believed in a number of gods but saw the God of the Bible as the greatest god. Some Christians today even believe that a god can come into existence simply by believing in one and worshipping it. That is some serious polytheism right there.

On the other hand, I have never met a serious polytheistic Hindu. I think that most Hindus, especially today, are monotheistic in that they believe that there is One Supreme God from which all is manifest. The various gods presented in Hinduism represent different aspects and qualities of the One and this has been misconstrued by people of Abrahamic religions as polytheism. When Christians had control in India they even managed to convince many Hindus of things within our religion that has never been true in order to convert them. The school of Hinduism I belong to sees God everywhere and in everything including all religions. We are an inclusive religion and our goal is to come to know God and to love God and as a consequence, to love everything. In fact if I am not mistaken Hinduism was the first religion to present monotheistic philosophy even before Judaism.

Sikhism is similar also in many ways. I wish there was more knowledge so that we wouldn't get classed into 'polytheistic pagans' all the time. Very frustrating.

 

[Fatihah]

Aymen amir i dont think so it was 'well said' :S...

It does'nt make sense because of many reasons...

Sikhism is a Monotheistic Faith...

Judaism is too...

So is Christianity...

and is Buddhism...

and a certain sect in Hinduism is Monotheist...

So the basic princliple of Thauheed(Oneness of God-Monotheism) is there...these very religions shun Idol worship...

So why cant a Muslim Woman marry a Monotheist Man?

xxx

Response: Hello Zoya,

In islam, men are the head of household. Meaning, it is the responsibility of men to work and spend their income in taking care of the wife, the household, and the children. Secondly, women are by nature more sensative than men. Giving that men have such a higher responsibility to the household and due to the sensitivity of women, it is more likely that in a marriage where the woman is a muslim and the man is not, that the woman will not be able to practice her religion in these circumstances. She can also be persuaded to leave her religion due to these circumstances. This is because naturally, she has much more to lose because the husband has such a greater responsibility over her and she relies so much on him.

There will be times in which their religions will clash. And in such a scenario, who will be more likely to have their religion be the most favored in the household? The husband will, due to the fact that he is the head of household. This would cause difficulty in the wife for practicing her religion. So for these reasons, muslim women should only marry muslim men.

 

[A-ManESL]

A-ManESL i agree with you xxx

Does that mean a Muslim Woman can marry a Jewish/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist Man?

xxx

Well, if your question is "Does that mean a Muslim Woman can marry a Jewish/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist Man?" then the answer is, yes she can. She may have to face some problems though. In some countries, perhaps the marriage might not be recognized as legal.

If your question is "Does that mean a Muslim Woman may marry a Jewish/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist Man and still would be considered as following Islamic law in most Muslim countries?" then I believe the answer is no.

xxx.

 

[ZoyaHayat]

Actually many would argue that Christianity is polytheistic. Especially earlier in history Christians believed in a number of gods but saw the God of the Bible as the greatest god. Some Christians today even believe that a god can come into existence simply by believing in one and worshipping it. That is some serious polytheism right there.

On the other hand, I have never met a serious polytheistic Hindu. I think that most Hindus, especially today, are monotheistic in that they believe that there is One Supreme God from which all is manifest. The various gods presented in Hinduism represent different aspects and qualities of the One and this has been misconstrued by people of Abrahamic religions as polytheism. When Christians had control in India they even managed to convince many Hindus of things within our religion that has never been true in order to convert them. The school of Hinduism I belong to sees God everywhere and in everything including all religions. We are an inclusive religion and our goal is to come to know God and to love God and as a consequence, to love everything. In fact if I am not mistaken Hinduism was the first religion to present monotheistic philosophy even before Judaism.

Sikhism is similar also in many ways. I wish there was more knowledge so that we wouldn't get classed into 'polytheistic pagans' all the time. Very frustrating.

Madhuri i agree with you-it must be very frustrating to me pushed into a label or band-which you dont feel you are ...

People are ignorant ...

There again i do contradict your Christianity statement xxx

 

[aymen amir]

Response: Hello Zoya,

In islam, men are the head of household. Meaning, it is the responsibility of men to work and spend their income in taking care of the wife, the household, and the children. Secondly, women are by nature more sensative than men. Giving that men have such a higher responsibility to the household and due to the sensitivity of women, it is more likely that in a marriage where the woman is a muslim and the man is not, that the woman will not be able to practice her religion in these circumstances. She can also be persuaded to leave her religion due to these circumstances. This is because naturally, she has much more to lose because the husband has such a greater responsibility over her and she relies so much on him.

There will be times in which their religions will clash. And in such a scenario, who will be more likely to have their religion be the most favored in the household? The husband will, due to the fact that he is the head of household. This would cause difficulty in the wife for practicing her religion. So for these reasons, muslim women should only marry muslim men.

i would have given the same answer

 

[ZoyaHayat]

Response: Hello Zoya,

In islam, men are the head of household. Meaning, it is the responsibility of men to work and spend their income in taking care of the wife, the household, and the children. Secondly, women are by nature more sensative than men. Giving that men have such a higher responsibility to the household and due to the sensitivity of women, it is more likely that in a marriage where the woman is a muslim and the man is not, that the woman will not be able to practice her religion in these circumstances. She can also be persuaded to leave her religion due to these circumstances. This is because naturally, she has much more to lose because the husband has such a greater responsibility over her and she relies so much on him.

There will be times in which their religions will clash. And in such a scenario, who will be more likely to have their religion be the most favored in the household? The husband will, due to the fact that he is the head of household. This would cause difficulty in the wife for practicing her religion. So for these reasons, muslim women should only marry muslim men.

Fatihah i still contradict you ...

Just because Men have a 'high responsibility in the household than Women' does'nt make it possible for Muslim Women not to marry people of other Monotheistic religions...

I feel it is one's own personal opinion and it has been used with religion as a defence mechanism ...

xxx

 

[ZoyaHayat]

Well, if your question is "Does that mean a Muslim Woman can marry a Jewish/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist Man?" then the answer is, yes she can. She may have to face some problems though. In some countries, perhaps the marriage might not be recognized as legal.

If your question is "Does that mean a Muslim Woman may marry a Jewish/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist Man and still would be considered as following Islamic law in most Muslim countries?" then I believe the answer is no.

xxx.

Thank you A-ManESL ...

I agree with you fully xxx

 

[ZoyaHayat]

i would have given the same answer

Lol Copy Cat ...

 

[Fatihah]

Fatihah i still contradict you ...

Just because Men have a 'high responsibility in the household than Women' does'nt make it possible for Muslim Women not to marry people of other Monotheistic religions...

I feel it is one's own personal opinion and it has been used with religion as a defence mechanism ...

xxx

Response: You are very well entitled to your opinion. In truth, you are not wrong. But I believe I may have to clarify something with you in islam for you to better understand.

In islam, there are rules which are placed to penalize wrong doing. Yet, there are also rules which are placed to prevent wrong doing. Then there are rules put into place because the act is good and bad, yet the bad may be highly likely, so the act is not permitted.

That is the case concerning marriage between a muslim woman and a non-muslim man. It does not mean that in such a marriage, you are destined to fail and have conflict. That is not the case. But I
am sure you would have to agree, that interfaith marriage can be conflicting in some cases. And since the men are head of household, they will naturally have more influence as to what religion will be favoured after such conflict.

Now again, you may disagree. But in islam, Allah(swt) is all knowing and all wise. So if Allah (swt) says that it is not permitted, then there is no question for us muslims that Allah's(swt) judgment is the best judgment.

 

[Metempsychosis]

On the other hand, I have never met a serious polytheistic Hindu. I think that most Hindus, especially today, are monotheistic in that they believe that there is One Supreme God from which all is manifest. The various gods presented in Hinduism represent different aspects and qualities of the One and this has been misconstrued by people of Abrahamic religions as polytheism. When Christians had control in India they even managed to convince many Hindus of things within our religion that has never been true in order to convert them. The school of Hinduism I belong to sees God everywhere and in everything including all religions. We are an inclusive religion and our goal is to come to know God and to love God and as a consequence, to love everything. In fact if I am not mistaken Hinduism was the first religion to present monotheistic philosophy even before Judaism.

Sikhism is similar also in many ways. I wish there was more knowledge so that we wouldn't get classed into 'polytheistic pagans' all the time. Very frustrating.

I differ from you.It would not be correct to classify Hinduism as monotheism.Only one sect is truly monotheistic as Islam..which is actually brought in stay with Islam at that time.Contrary to popular notion,polytheist are well behaved people.By monotheism,I mean one God which is completely different from creation.

Even those monotheistic sect of Hinduism have a personalistic concept of God,whereas Islam is highly impersonal(in the sense,that God cannot take forms and attributes).

So,that should solve the question of Interfaith marriage ,Islamically speaking.

 

[ZoyaHayat]

Response: You are very well entitled to your opinion. In truth, you are not wrong. But I believe I may have to clarify something with you in islam for you to better understand.

In islam, there are rules which are placed to penalize wrong doing. Yet, there are also rules which are placed to prevent wrong doing. Then there are rules put into place because the act is good and bad, yet the bad may be highly likely, so the act is not permitted.

That is the case concerning marriage between a muslim woman and a non-muslim man. It does not mean that in such a marriage, you are destined to fail and have conflict. That is not the case. But I
am sure you would have to agree, that interfaith marriage can be conflicting in some cases. And since the men are head if household, they will naturally have more influence as to what religion will be favoured after such conflict.

Now again, you may disagree. But in islam, Allah(swt) is all knowing and all wise. So if Allah (swt) says that it is not permitted, then there is no question for us muslims that Allah's(swt) judgment is the best judgment.

Fatihha please confirm what do you mean by 'non-Muslim'? :S...

A 'non-Muslim' is who does Idol worship?a person who is a Polytheist? or a 'non-Muslim' is who is a Monotheist?

A Muslim is a Monotheist too...

So what is a 'non-Muslim'?...definately not a Sikh or a Jew or a Christian(as they are Monotheists like a Muslim)...

Please confirm what do you mean by a 'non-Muslim'?

xxx

 

[Fatihah]

Fatihha please confirm what do you mean by 'non-Muslim'? :S...

A 'non-Muslim' is who does Idol worship?a person who is a Polytheist? or a 'non-Muslim' is who is a Monotheist?

A Muslim is a Monotheist too...

So what is a 'non-Muslim'?...definately not a Sikh or a Jew or a Christian or a Buddhist(as they are Monotheists like a Muslim)...

Please confirm what do you mean by a 'non-Muslim'?

xxx

Response: A non-muslim is one who rejects Allah(swt) as God, the one and only, and his messenger as a true prophet, Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his sunnah. Thus this would include christians, jews, Sikh, Buddhist, etc.

 

[ZoyaHayat]

I differ from you.It would not be correct to classify Hinduism as monotheism.Only one sect is truly monotheistic as Islam..which is actually brought in stay with Islam at that time.Contrary to popular notion,polytheist are well behaved people.By monotheism,I mean one God which is completely different from creation.

Anti-religion i differ to you...

Please do refer to the thread 'Similarities between Sikhism and Hinduism'...there are alot of resources available on that thread-to say Hinduism is Monotheism ...

xxx