Questions of An American Muslim/9
Question 9
It is said that a Muslim man can marry Ahlul Kitab (People of the Book) women but a Muslim lady cannot marry Ahlul Kitab man. If this is so, what is the reason for it?
If Islam has prohibited marriage with polytheists is it marriage not forbidden with those Christians who believe in trinity or in the intercession of Popes?
It is also said that Muslims are not allowed to marry the apostates. In such a condition can a Muslim marry a woman who is a member of the communist party? Who is an apostate and denies the existence of God?
Is it allowed for a Muslim to marry those modern people who consider the Almighty Allah to be merely a figment of human imagination?
Can an American Muslim marry a Catholic lady? And he is helpless to the circumstances that his marriage ceremony is performed in a church and according to catholic rituals. He also has to sign a particular undertaking that his children must be brought up as Catholics?
Answer: A Muslims man can only perform Muta (temporary marriage) with Ahlul Kitab women. The logic behind the prohibition of a Muslim woman’s marriage to Ahlul Kitab man is that women are generally under the influence of men as regards marital and household matters and it is possible she may adopt the beliefs and systems of her husband etc.
Therefore if a Muslim woman marries Ahlul Kitab man it is possible she would be influenced by his views and her Islamic beliefs are shaken. Thus a Muslim woman must never marry a non-Muslim man. Though it is not so in the case of men.
In view of Islam there is a difference between a Christian and an idol worshipping polytheist. And Islam has not given concession to idol worship. There are two reasons for this discrimination.
(1) The Polytheist and idol-worshipper does not accept prophethood after the belief in Allah, which (prophethood) is the second principle to all heavenly religions. And since he does not accept this important basic fact, there is no chance that they would ever come to the right path of salvation.
Because on they are attracted towards Islam, those who believe in the principles of Prophethood and Messengership. And due to these principles they gradually accept the heavenly laws and rules of this religion.
(2) The polytheism of the idol worshippers is complete and apparent on the other hand there is a polytheism of a lower level in Christianity. Because along with trinity they also claim Oneness and say that there is no problem in saying one is equal to three (though it is an unacceptable logic).
(3) Marriage is not allowed with an apostate who has no faith in God. Therefore a Muslim man cannot marry an apostate woman and a marriage of a Muslim woman with an apostate man is also prohibited.
From the aspect of this principle those who consider God as on the imagination of religious people and do not have in His actual existence are infidels and it is not allowed to establish marital relations with them.
No Muslim can promise that he would allow his children to be followers of Christianity.
Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani
