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What Are the Interfaith Marriage Rules?

04 June, 2018
Q I would like to know about the marriage rules between Christian and Muslim people. That is, if one side of the couple is Muslim and the other is Christian.

Answer

Salam Dear Gul,

Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.

First of all, the general rule is that it is permissible for Muslim men to marry from the People of the Book (Christian and Jews).

However, it is not allowed for Muslim women to marry a non-Muslim.

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:

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This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues… (Quran, 5:5)

Thus, the only kind of interfaith marriage that is lawful, in Islam, is that in which the husband is Muslim and the wife is from among the People of the Book.

Marriage Rules in Islam

Secondly, for the marriage itself, Islam puts forth a set of basic rules that must be presented in a marriage, regardless of the faith affiliation of the wife.

Among these rules are:

– Marriage should be a contract that is formed from the expression of the intent of a man and a woman to live the rest of their life together as husband and wife.

– The contract must not be temporary; Islam does not recognize a temporary contract.

– The contract should be based on the free consent of the man and the woman.

– The marriage has to be declared in the society through witnesses; Islam does not recognize secret contracts.

– Marriage is not valid without mahr (dowry). Mahr is a mutually agreed upon amount that is paid for the wife as a gift.

Wife’s Rights & Wedding

There is no difference whatsoever in regards to the rights of a Muslim or non-Muslim wife. The non-Muslim wife has all the legal rights that are preserved by Islam for any Muslim wife.

A Christian or Jewish wife does not need to change her faith and convert into Islam to make her marriage valid, this is according to Islamic rules of course. As a matter of fact, she is allowed to practice her religion freely without any restrictions. What Are the Interfaith Marriage Rules

The wedding ceremony can take place anywhere; holding a marriage ceremony in the mosque is not legally required.

However, the ceremony should be according to the values of Islam and the decent traditions of the society.

And Allah knows the best!

Also if you have a specific question about a rule of marriage you may find our fatwa section useful.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Salam and please keep in touch.

(From Ask About Islam archives)

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

Top 10 Secrets For a Happy Marriage (Folder)

Marriage Between a Muslim Man and a Christian Woman?

Muslim Women Cannot Marry Non-Muslim Men: Why?