Assalam o Alakikom,
I need information regarding marriage to a christian woman. I am Muslim man and has agreed with a christian Vietnamese woman. I would like to make nikkah with her before the conjugal relation. I have visisted several Masjid of Vietnam and discussed the said issue with the Imam, but they have different mind set regarding Nikkah with christian woman. they were told me that we are Vietnamese Muslim but we can not offer a Nikkah for you with the christian woman because first you convert her to Islam. but its not possible very soon that I convert her to Islam. please guide me, can a Imam sahib from Pakistan can offer a Nikkah for us with the availability of witnesses?
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The purpose of Nikah is to safeguard one’s chastity and attain peace and comfort through it. While performing the Nikah is a noble act, one has to be conscious of many issues related to it.
The parameters of Shari’ah are quite different to those of other religions. Islam strives to maintain and promote a high level of compliancy to its regulations, hence, blocking out any such avenues that may lead to harming ones Īmān (faith) or even causing it to wane. As such, Islam advocates that one socialises and interacts with those who are Muslims themselves.
One’s family and friends tend to greatly influence his/her habits, thinking, traits and actions. Therefore, Islam advocates that the institution of marriage be conducted with such a spouse who is chaste and noble, so that he/she may compliment the other in his/her religious activities.
In principle, it is permissible for you to marry the Christian woman in reference without her accepting Islam. If you marry her as she is, you should be conscious of the challenges that come with it. She would want to read the Bible and go to church. She may want to put the Christian Cross in the house and invite her Christian family to the house. Her eating and drinking habits may not be in according to the halal standards of a Muslim. If you have children from her, she may want to rear the children according to Christian values as was reared. These actions will have grave consequences on many aspects of your life.
If you fear that you will be influenced by her and you will compromise on your Islamic values and practises, then it is not permissible for you to marry such a woman.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Huzaifah Deedat
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
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قوله وحل تزوج الكتابية) لقوله تعالى {والمحصنات من الذين أوتوا الكتاب} [المائدة: 5]
الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار)- دار الفكر (3/ 47)
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