Is it permissible for a Muslim male to marry a Christian woman even if she refuses to embrace Islam?

Answer

Marriage to Christian and Jewish women in the present age is not permissible. This prohibition is based on certain principles of the Shariah. Do understand that in terms of the Shariah, any permissible (mubah) act which constitutes a danger to a man's Imaan or which leads to bid'ah, becomes haraam. In this age, if a man marries a Christian woman who refuses to embrace Islam, then his own Imaan is in danger. He will live with a woman who:

* Eats haraam, including pork * Who consumes liquor * Who mingles freely with males * Who will not dress Islamically nor observe the rules of Hijaab * Whose food he may not consume for the real fear of her serving haraam.

* Who will rear the children as kuffaar.

* Who will take the children to church and to other Christian functions * Who will observe her religious functions such as Christmas, Easter, etc., and the children will join in. * Who will ensure that the children grow up as Christians.

* Who will refuse to take Ghusl-e-Janaabat, thus perpetually remaining in a filthy state.

In view of all these evils, it is not permissible to marry women of the Book while they retain their religions. In the early days when Muslims would avail themselves of the permissibility, none of the above listed dangers existed, and the woman ultimately embraced Islam. But, today, the very danger of the man's Imaan being extinguished exists. We have seen numerous such cases happening.