What is the ruling on a Muslim man marrying a Christian woman, given that she has refused to enter Islam?
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The questioner : A questioner from Libya says: O honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on a Muslim man marrying a Christian wife, knowing that she has refused to enter Islam? I ask you, may Allah reward you with good, to provide an answer.
The Shaykh : It is permissible for a Muslim man to marry a Christian woman, based on the saying of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He:[Al-Ma'idah 5:5] In this case, he should, after contracting the marriage and consummating it, present Islam to her and encourage her to embrace it, so that perhaps Allah will guide her to Islam. By doing so, the husband will attain what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned in his statement to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Khaybar, saying: Sahih Muslim 2406.
On this occasion, I point out this word "humr al-na'am" (red camels), which is read with a sukun on the mim: "humr al-na'am." Many of the brothers we hear read it with a dammah on the mim, saying "min humur al-na'am." However, "humur" is not the plural of "hamra'" (red); rather, "humur" is the plural of "himar" (donkey). The difference is very clear. Therefore, the reader should take this matter into account and read it as "humr al-na'am" with a sukun on the mim, as the plural of "hamra'."
If he marries this Christian woman, then if he dies, she does not inherit from him, and if she dies, he does not inherit from her. Likewise, if one of her children dies, she does not inherit from him, and if she dies, none of her children inherit from her, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):Sunan Abi Dawud 2909Sahih (Al-Albani) Her inheritance will go to her heirs who agree with her in her religion. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : It is permissible for a Muslim man to marry a Christian woman, based on the saying of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He:
This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers
اليَومَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّباتُ وَطَعامُ الَّذينَ أوتُوا الكِتابَ حِلٌّ لَكُم وَطَعامُكُم حِلٌّ لَهُم وَالمُحصَناتُ مِنَ المُؤمِناتِ وَالمُحصَناتُ مِنَ الَّذينَ أوتُوا الكِتابَ مِن قَبلِكُم إِذا ءاتَيتُموهُنَّ أُجورَهُنَّ مُحصِنينَ غَيرَ مُسافِحينَ وَلا مُتَّخِذي أَخدانٍAdvance cautiously until you reach their open places, thereafter invite them to Islam and inform them what is obligatory for them from the rights of Allah, for, by Allah, if Allah guides aright even one person through you that is better for you than to possess the most valuable of the camels.
انفذ على رسلك ثم انزل بساحتهم وادعهم إلى الإسلام وأخبرهم بما يجب عليهم من حق الله فيه فو الله لئن يهدي الله بك رجلا واحدا خير لك من حمر النعمOn this occasion, I point out this word "humr al-na'am" (red camels), which is read with a sukun on the mim: "humr al-na'am." Many of the brothers we hear read it with a dammah on the mim, saying "min humur al-na'am." However, "humur" is not the plural of "hamra'" (red); rather, "humur" is the plural of "himar" (donkey). The difference is very clear. Therefore, the reader should take this matter into account and read it as "humr al-na'am" with a sukun on the mim, as the plural of "hamra'."
If he marries this Christian woman, then if he dies, she does not inherit from him, and if she dies, he does not inherit from her. Likewise, if one of her children dies, she does not inherit from him, and if she dies, none of her children inherit from her, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):
A Muslim may not inherit from an infidel nor an infidel from a Muslim.
لا يرث المسلم الكافر ولا الكافر المسلمThe questioner : May Allah bless you.