my question is can a Muslim person marry a Christian woman or not?
During nikah how many people need to be present for evidence, and they can be non Muslim or not?Can the Muslim recite the Khutba for his own Nikah
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salām wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,
There are two aspects regarding your question:
- Marrying a Christian woman.
- The rulings pertaining to Nikāḥ.
- In principle, marrying a Christian woman would be permissible provided she believes in one God and is not merely a Christian by name.
However, one should exercise caution when marrying such women, because the ways, habits, and beliefs of one’s spouse have a huge impact on oneself.
Furthermore, she serves as a potential mother for one’s child, in which case it would be detrimental to the upbringing and nurturing if one’s child is raised by a mother who holds different beliefs and little or no consideration for the important and fundamental beliefs and practices of a Muslim.
We, therefore, encourage that one seeks a Muslim spouse.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The whole world is to be enjoyed, but the best thing in the world is a pious (Muslim) wife”. [Muslim]
- In terms of the validity of one’s Nikāh in respect to witnesses, the presence of two mature Muslim males is required.
Also, the Khutbah of Nikāh may be done by the bridegroom himself.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)