Miscellaneous topics- Fatawa- Transactions- Engagement and Marriage- Fatwa (2): Why can a Muslim man marry a non-Muslim woman but a Muslim woman can't marry a non-Muslim man?
- Fatawa Ramadan / Transactions
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- Engagement and Marriage
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Question:
Dear Dr. Nabulsi,Why can a Muslim man marry a non-Muslim woman but a Muslim woman can't marry a non-Muslim man?
Answer:
Dear brother,Assalamu Alaikum,
The answer should be: because Allah permitted the first case and prohibited the second one. The wisdom behind this is that when a Muslim man marries a non-Muslim woman (Christian for example), he believes in Prophet Jesus and the Book sent down on him which is the Gospel.
However, when a Muslim woman marries a non-Muslim man she believes in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the noble Quran that was sent down on him, but her non-Muslim husband doesn't believe in them, and here problems arise.
In addition, man has qawama (guardianship and authority) over woman so if a Muslim man married a non-Muslim woman he could raise his children as Muslims but the other way round is not possible.
Best regards