MARRYING WOMEN FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE

BOOK
Question: Can a Muslim man marry a Christian or a Jew? Please
explain.
Sheikh Tahir
tahir103@rediffmail.com

It is permissible for a Muslim man to marry a woman from the People of the Book (i.e. the
Jews and the Christians), only if they fulfill certain criteria. Allah (swt) says:
“And (Lawful in marriage are) chaste women from among the believers and chaste women
from among those who were given the Scripture before you…”
[Surah Al-Maidah 5:5]

Based on the above verse, most of the scholars say that a Muslim man can marry any woman
who is a Jew or a Christian. On the other hand, if we read the Qur’an as a whole, Allah (swt)
also says that Muslims are not allowed to marry Mushriks i.e. people who associate partners
with Allah (swt).
“And do not marry Mushrik (polytheistic) women until they believe. And a believing slave
woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2:221]

Moreover, we find that the Jews and the Christians too associate partners with Allah (swt).
Says Allah (swt) in the Glorious Qur’an:
“They (Jews and the Christians) have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah,
and (also) the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship
one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with
Him.” [Surah At-Tawbah 9:31]

The Christians, who claim that Jesus (pbuh) is God as well as the Son of God, insist on the
supposed divinity of Jesus (pbuh) and worship him as such.
“They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary” while the
Messiah has said, “O children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Indeed he
who associates other with Allah – Allah has forbidden him paradise and his refuge is the
fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.” [Surah Al-Maidah 5:72]

From the above-mentioned verses and many such verses of the Qur'an, it is very clear that
almost all the present day Jews and the Christians are committing shirk by joining partners
with Allah (swt).

Apparently, it appears to be a “contradiction” in the Qur’an, since at one place Allah (swt)
forbids Muslims from marrying Mushriks, whereas at another place He allows Muslim men to
marry women from the Jews and the Christians, most of who as per the Qur'anic narrations
are Mushriks too i.e. those who associate partners with Allah (swt).

In another verse of the Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) conciliates all the above verses by
informing us that among the Jews and the Christians there are also people who are true
believers i.e. they believe in only one God and do not associate partners with Allah (swt). It
says,
“Among them (Jews and the Christians) are believers but most of them are defiantly
disobedient.” [Surah Ali Imran 3:110]

Therefore, according to me, Muslim men are permitted to marry only those women from the
People of the Book (i.e. the Jews and the Christians) who are chaste as well as who do not
commit shirk i.e. those who do not believe in trinity and Jesus’ (pbuh) divinity. And Allah
Knows the Best.