We get a lot of Muslims asking about marriage.This is coming from a sister, asking two important questions!

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Sir, I have two Questions regarding:

Thank you for writing to us with your question. You asked about what Islam teaches regarding marriage to those outside of our faith.

First, we must explain "ISLAM" is not a man-made religion made by human philosophy and guess work.

Islam is from Almighty God (Allah) and presents a true balance for the entire life of the human beings.

There are "rights" but there are also very clear "limits" for everyone and everything.

Allah allows Muslim men to marry from the believers, virgins or chaste from the Jews and Christians, but even then there are conditions involved.

This must be understood in the light and content of revelation and not be misconstrued to mean, "anyboy can marry anybody - if they say they are believers."

Mixed marriages always have serious consequences. This is true even amongst Christian groups, especially the Catholics. The Catholic Church forbids marriage outside of their faith, even to other Christian groups.

Even in the "mixed" marriages, it must be agreed, any children resulting from the marriage would only be raised as Catholic.

One very important thing Islam brings is a statement about us humans, found in these words - "Rights & Limits".

Allah tells believers who has the most rights in this life. Even our bodies have rights according to Islam. We have to know these limits. We must stay within these limits.

Islam commands marriages "only to believers". This is the whole concept of Islam.

"ISLAM" means:

Surrender, submit, obey, sincerely, and peace to Allah.

A true Muslim totally commits themselves to Almighty God Allah, on His terms and obeys His commandments.

The word "Muslim" is from the word "Islam".

The one who does the action of - surrender, submit, obey, sincerity and peace to God - is a "MU-Islam".

Doing the Will of God on earth as it is in Heaven, is part of the teaching we find in the Holy Bible. Jesus taught his followers how to pray.

There are many "dos" and "don'ts" in the religion of One God. These are based on the teachings of the God of Abraham.

The Old Testament has many commandments. The New Testament doesn't really add anything new.

The Bible clearly tells believers, "Stick to the "Law" (Torah) of the Old Testament.

There still exists in today's version of the Bible, Matthew, 5:17-20. Jesus says, "Not one dot shall be dropped out of the Law."

17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

 

18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled.

 

19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 5:17-20) 

The commandments of Almighty God in the Quran are similar and being obedient to them is the same as in Judaism and Christianity.

Allah tells us in Quran about the people before us (Jews and Christians) and what they were ordered to do:

The Clear Evidence

 

98:1 "Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and among Al-Mushrikun, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence."

 

98:2 "A Messenger (Muhammad) from Allah, reciting (the Quran) purified pages.

 

98:3 "Containing correct and straight laws from Allah.

 

98:4 "And the people of the Scripture did not differe until after there came to them clear evidence.

 

98:5 "And they were not commanded to do anything except worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone and perform prayers and give charity - and this is the correct religion.

98:6 "Verily, those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture and those (who make partners with God) will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.

98:7 "Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creatures.

98:8 "Their reward with their Lord is Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow, they will abide therein forever, Allah Well-Pleased with them, and they with Him. This is for him who fears his Lord.

There is a verse in Quran, often referred to by those interested in the subject of Muslims marrying from the "People of the Book":

5:5 "Made lawful to you this day good and lawful foods, Allah has made lawful. The food of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them."

This is only for men who are able to have the last word on religion - like your friend is trying to do already.

This does not mean women married to Christians or Jews. It means you could eat their food as long as it is in compliance with their "Law", meaning the original Bible (it doesn't exist any more).

TRegardless, every believer is required to say "Bismillah" before eating and if they forget, then as soon as they remember say, "In the Name of Allah, The Beginning and the End."

Let us continue reading the verse:

A very important verse regarding marriage for Muslim men and the rights and limitations prescribed by Allah. The limitations here include "chaste" women from the believers and the ahl kitab (Jews and Christians) but then the phrase "before your time" and the phrase "desiring chastity" and not committing illegal sexual intercourse, not girl-friends. And then the subject of "belief" comes up again.

It now becomes clear, even the Muslim men are not permitted to marry from other than the "believers" and they have to be chaste. The Muslim women could not be permitted to marry from any except believers, due to the serious problem of raising the children without the correct beliefs.

2:221 "And do not marry a idol worshiper until they believe.

And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a free woman even though she pleases you. 

And don't give your daughters in marriage to idol worshipers untill they believe and indeed, a believing slave is better than a free idolater, even though he pleases you.

Those invite you to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and Forgiveness by His Leave, and makes His proofs, evidences, signs, clear to mankind so they may remember."

(Baqarah 2:221)

Worship of Idols

Notice the correct belief in Allah, being One, is the most important subject, before anything else.

Those who make partners with God are the worst in the Sight of Allah. The clear message is, they are going to be inviting you to the Hell Fire.

Conclusion: Marriage for believers, is only to other believers.
Virginity is very important in Islam.

The correct position is for Muslim men and Muslim women to be married to true believers, submitting to the Will of Allah (Quran and Sunnah) and raising a family to work together and achieve a life in paradise.

Now ask yourself a question: "How could this be achieved without the correct belief on the part of both people?"

Advice:

Pray to Allah, asking Him for Forgiveness and Guidance. Then be ready for Him to make some serious changes in your life.

He always tests the believers. As He says in Quran:

29:2 "Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested?"

 

29:3 "And We (Royal "We" does not imply plural) certainly did test those who were before them, and certainly Allah will make known the truthful and certainly will make known the liars."

Allah loves the believers and will never let them down.
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Now about your statement,
"There is no complusion in religion" . .

This is verse 256 in chapter 2 of Quran . .  inshallah, it means:
"No one is forced to accept Islam."
Meaning anyone on the planet.