Can a Muslim Marry a Catholic?

Question: 689

Can a Muslim marry a Roman Catholic without the person converting to Islam?

Summary of answer

If a Muslim wants to marry a Christian woman, she does not have to become Muslim first. The conditions for a non-Muslim woman to marry a Muslim man are that she should be of the People of the Book (Jewish or Christian) and that she should be chaste.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

If a Muslim wants to marry a Christian woman , she does not have to become Muslim first, because of the general statement in the Quran (interpretation of the meaning):

“Made lawful to you this day are . . . chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time . . .” [Al-Ma’idah 5:5]

The conditions for a non-Muslim woman to marry a Muslim man are that she should be of the People of the Book (Jewish or Christian) and that she should be chaste .

We remind the Muslims living outside the Muslim world that they should not rush into taking such a step, and if they wish to do so, they should think long and hard, even though marrying a woman of the People of the Book is permitted in principle. There is a very real possibility of the children becoming Christian, especially in countries where the law favours the non-Muslim mother. In fact many such tragedies have occurred. We ask Allah to guide us all and give us strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

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Source:

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid