Question
Reference number: 817330 | Relationship with Non-Muslims | Dec. 3, 2018
What is the ruling on marrying a foreign wife, Turkish or French, who says that she is a Christian?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
Islam allows Muslim men to marry a woman from the People of the Scripture (Christians or Jews). Allah says:
“Made lawful to you this day are Aṭ‑Ṭayyibāt [all kinds of Ḥalāl (lawful) foods, which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits). The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time when you have given them their due Mahr (bridal‑money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage.” Al-Mai’dah: 5. Provided that, she must be chaste and modest; she must be following a real heavenly religion. However, getting married of a Muslim woman is more preferable. The Prophet said: “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty, or for her piety. Select the pious, may you be blessed.” Agreed Upon.