Answer
Salam (Peace) Dear Teresa,
Let me first ask you to pass my congratulations to the man who is blessed to marry such a religious and broadminded lady!
Mutual understanding is a primary demand for the success of any marriage. To me, this mutual understanding is the product of the two persons’ open-mindedness and tolerant nature, regardless of the difference in culture or religion. It is said that ‘faith speaks to faith’.
How many couples fail to reach this degree of intellectual or sentimental harmony! This is despite their belonging to the same religion, as a result of their shortsightedness and dogmatism.
If your question is about the legal opinion of Islam, concerning marriage between a Muslim man and a Christian or Jewish woman, it is permissible. On the other hand, if your question is about the social situation, the Muslim society should never object something unless the Islamic law outlaws it. So, if it is accepted, like your situation, it should never be a matter of criticism.
What could bring shame to any Muslim man, and I believe to any man whosoever, is not to marry a woman from a different religion. Rather, it would be to marry a woman whose behavior degrades him or who does not have respect for him or for herself, no matter what religion she belongs to.
In your case, both of you have deep faith in God and a common ground of human values. This makes excellent potential for a successful marriage.
Still, there is something important you both have to understand. That is; the harder you work towards more understanding of each one’s special cultural characteristics and towards more tolerance with the cultural differences, which will surely show up every now and then, the less possible become any marital problems.
Try to bridge this cultural gap between you by listening to one another’s views and by being patient with one another’s mistakes.
Again I congratulate you both. Please be sure that our Website will always be there if you need any consultation, either before or after you get married.
Best wishes and please keep in touch.
Thank you.