‘And We have made permissible the pure women from the believers and the pure women from the people of the Book.’ (Maaidah)
The above verse is clear that it is permissible for a Muslim male to marry a female from the Ahl-ul-Kitaab (Jews/Christians).
The Christians during the time of the revelation had the distorted beliefs of trinity, crucifixion, etc. Despite that, Allah Ta’ala permits marrying a Christian or Jewish female. However, the purpose of marrying such females is their apparent adherence to a heavenly revealed book which could be a stepping stone into understanding the true religion (Islam). Understandably a marriage has influence on a person’s thinking and ideology. Since the male is stronger generally, he would be able to influence his wife into Islam. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim female to marry a Christian or Jewish male purchance she will be influenced to leave Islam.
It must be noted that if the Muslim male is weak in his Islam, and there is fear of him being influenced by the Christian/Jewish wife, it is not permissible for him to marry her. A Christian/Jewish woman should not be just by registration while not really being a Christian/Jew.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai