Is it permissible to marry a Christian woman in order to protect oneself from temptation in a land of disbelief?

The questioner : There is another question, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : What is it?

The questioner : Is it permissible for me to marry there so that I can avoid fitnah (trial, discord or temptation)?

The Shaykh : And where is there?

The questioner : In Switzerland.

The Shaykh : And why do you go to a land of disbelief?

The questioner : Of course, you know, I told you this morning, I told you... I was not able to tell you more on the phone, meaning I explained the situation this morning, on the basis that I told you I left, why less than a month.

The Shaykh : Okay, I understand you want to marry there.

The questioner : If there is nothing in the Shari'ah...

The Shaykh : My brother, marrying Christian women and European women today leads to many, many problems. So if you know these problems, if you marry a Christian woman and she bears you a son, and you want to return to your country, but she makes it difficult for you with herself and her son, or her children from you, what will you do? You will leave them.

The questioner : This is the only problem, meaning for example...

The Shaykh : For example, what?

The questioner : Meaning, I did not let her give birth, meaning.

The Shaykh : Is it in your hand, may Allah forgive you?

The questioner : This is just a suggestion, meaning.

The Shaykh : O Shaykh, may Allah guide you. We do not advise a Muslim to marry a Muslim woman who is an open sinner in this time, let alone to marry a Christian woman who is free from all morals. We do not advise this marriage, and we ask Allah to make for you a way out and an exit, but we do not advise you to marry.

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And peace be upon you.

The questioner : What do we do, O Shaykh, then?

The Shaykh : I do not know, my brother, may Allah bless you. I have advised you, and I have nothing more than that.

The questioner : Meaning, I do not marry?

The Shaykh : We do not advise a Muslim to marry there, because there are many problems there, as I mentioned to you just now. And peace be upon you.

The questioner : May Allah bless you, O Shaykh, and may Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : And may He bless you.
Yes