Fatwa ID: 07047
Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Question:
There are alot of emotions involved and my wife is requesting that our family to attend the wedding of her sister who is marrying a non-muslim. She was told numerous times that what she is doing is impermissible in the eyes of Allah and will not be accepted but she still is going forth with it. Islamically speaking, what should I do here? Should we attend the wedding because our intentions are sincere or not? What is the direction I should take Islamically?
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Marriage is not a matter to be taken lightly. It is a lifelong commitment.
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ explained that the primary consideration in choosing a spouse should be their Deen: “A woman is married for four reasons; her wealth, lineage, status and Deen. Choose the one who is religious.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari: Hadith 5090]
This also applies to women, in that a man is married for four reasons and she too should choose the one who is religiously inclined.
“Deen” is a very comprehensive word. It does not only mean praying and fasting. Rather, it relates to one’s entire conduct of life such as Aqidah (Belief), Ibādāt (Worship), Akhlāq (Character & Manners), Mu’amalāt (Dealings with others), Sulook (Reliance on Allāh in all affairs), etc.
Therefore, the first and foremost attribute to be considered in a potential spouse is their religious beliefs.
Furthermore, Allāh Ta’ālā has decreed:
“Do not marry the polytheist women, unless they come to believe (in Islām); a Muslim slave girl is better than a polytheist woman, even though she may attract you; and do not give (your women) in marriage to polytheist men, unless they come to believe; a Muslim slave is better than a polytheist, even though he may attract you. They invite to the Fire when Allāh invites, by His will, to Paradise, and to forgiveness. He makes His verses clear to the people, so that they may heed the advice.” [Surah al-Baqarah; 2:221] [2]
“Vile women are for vile men, and vile men are for vile women; and good women are for good men, and good men are for good women. Those (good people) are declared innocent from what the slanderers say. For them there is forgiveness, and a graceful provision.” [Surah an-Nûr; 24:26] [3]
Finally, Allāh Ta’ālā also commands: “Do not aid in sin.” [Surāh Mā’idah; 5:2] [4]
This marriage, of a Muslim woman to a man of any other religion is deemed as Harām and strictly forbidden. To participate in such unions would be considered as aiding in the sin and granting tacit approval which is also forbidden.
You must advise her of the grave sin that she is about to embark on. If she is adamant on marrying him, then give him Da’wah (invite) to Islām. If he embraces Islām then they can marry otherwise they must refrain.
If they still insist on marrying, no Muslim should partake in this act of clear disobedience and sin.
Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.
Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1]حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ تُنْكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ لأَرْبَعٍ لِمَالِهَا وَلِحَسَبِهَا وَجَمَالِهَا وَلِدِينِهَا، فَاظْفَرْ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكَ ”.
}[2]وَلَا تَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكَـٰتِ حَتَّىٰ یُؤۡمِنَّۚ وَلَأَمَةࣱ مُّؤۡمِنَةٌ خَیۡرࣱ مِّن مُّشۡرِكَةࣲ وَلَوۡ أَعۡجَبَتۡكُمۡۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا۟ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِینَ حَتَّىٰ یُؤۡمِنُوا۟ۚ وَلَعَبۡدࣱ مُّؤۡمِنٌ خَیۡرࣱ مِّن مُّشۡرِكࣲ وَلَوۡ أَعۡجَبَكُمۡۗ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ یَدۡعُونَ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِۖ وَٱللَّهُ یَدۡعُوۤا۟ إِلَى ٱلۡجَنَّةِ وَٱلۡمَغۡفِرَةِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦۖ وَیُبَیِّنُ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ یَتَذَكَّرُونَ {
}[3]ٱلۡخَبِیثَـٰتُ لِلۡخَبِیثِینَ وَٱلۡخَبِیثُونَ لِلۡخَبِیثَـٰتِۖ وَٱلطَّیِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّیِّبِینَ وَٱلطَّیِّبُونَ لِلطَّیِّبَـٰتِۚ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا یَقُولُونَۖ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةࣱ وَرِزۡقࣱ كَرِیمࣱ {
} [4]وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَ انِۚ{
