We often receive emails asking about marrying someone from a different religion, especially Muslims marrying Christians. Let’s discuss this and the conflicts that arise.
Muslim Viewpoint: Men Verses Women Marriages
Islam states two different sets of rules for marrying someone from another religion. Muslim women must marry Muslim men. Otherwise, they will commit adultery.
But Muslim men may marry non-Muslim women. The Quran says, “. . . It is lawful for you to marry . . . chaste women of the People of the Book” (Qs 5:5). They may marry Christian and Jewish women. They can marry a non-Muslim woman because he has full power over his wife.
Muhammad had several non-Muslim wives. His first wife, Siti Khadijah, was not Muslim when they married. Several of his close friends also married Christian women.
The Purpose of Marriage According to the Injil
The Injil plainly states: “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness” (Injil, 2 Corinthians 6:14)? The purpose of marriage is to glorify God together. If a husband and wife have two different religions, how can they work together to glorify God?
Problems for Couples of Different Faiths
First, the relationship with in-laws is not harmonious. This is especially true if the in-laws are faithful in their own religion. It isn’t easy for them to accept that their child has married someone of another faith.
Second, the spouses become less faithful in their worship. If you have a spouse of another faith, you compromise.
Third, the children are confused. Who should they worship with–their father or their mother? A marriage between individuals of different religions doesn’t just have negative effects on the couple, it also affects their entire family.
Isa Al-Masih Offers Rest
Are you in a relationship now with someone of a different faith? Are you thinking about marrying him or her? Or, are you already married to someone of a different faith? Talk to us about it!
If so, you may be confused about what to do. Answer the invitation of Isa Al-Masih, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Injil, Matthew 11:28). He will help you and show you what to do.
[We invite you to visit us at https://www.isaandislam.com/way-of-salvation to learn more about God’s gift of Salvation. God loves you and waits to hear from you. Isa clearly said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Injil, John 14:6). For a deeper understanding of Isa, we suggest you subscribe to “Isa, Islam, and Al-Fatiha.”]
SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW
We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:
- Why do you think the teaching of Islam give a different law on marrying someone from a different religion for men than for women?
- Why do Muhammad and Isa Al-Masih have different teachings about the problems of marriage with a person of another faith?
- Are you married to someone of another faith? Are you finding this a challenge? Email us so that we can help you.
If you have a question regarding this article, please contact us by clicking this link.
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I am Roman Catholic who has a Muslim Turkish boyfriend. Am I required to convert to Islam if I get married? What will be the religion for our future children? Thankyou. God Bless
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The Bible clearly writes that a believer should not be yoked with an unbeliever. God wants the best for us and don’t want us to have painful experiences and regrets in the future. Please don’t make decision based on your current feeling and situation but continually pray that God will direct your path and guide you into the right decision.
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i am a muslima and single with 2 kids. I am 52 years old and i am in love with a non muslim man. Will it be bad for me to get married with him?
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Hello Fatama,
Firstly, what’s the purpose of marriage? If a husband and wife have two different religions, how can they work together to glorify God?
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I am in love with a Muslim. But I cannot marry him because I am a Christian. Should I encourage my love to change religion?
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Hello,
God’s Word says “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness” (Injil, 2 Corinthians 6:14)? Because the purpose of marriage is to glorify God together.
The other thing is that changing a religion because of marriage is not the best choice. The best choice to learn more about Isa Al-Masih and let your friend decide whether to follow Him or not.
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Hi my wife is USA Christian n I’m Bangladeshi Muslim how do I merry her in Bangladesh law
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Dear Muhibur,
Thank you for writing to us. Very sorry we cannot answer your question.
You asked about the law of marriage in Bangladesh. Every country has different law, so it will be better for you to ask the Bangladesh government about it.
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Jasmin
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Is the Christian God different from the Muslim God???
Even some Christians do not marry people from other churches but same faith, and a Sunni Muslim might not marry a Shia Muslim.
When they talk about not getting married to an unbeliever, they simply meant people who do not believe in God.
Many people are in one religion or another due to their family background which is God’s act but not by their choice, but marriage should be by choice.
You people should quit the division and respect God as the father of all.
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Dear Muhammadu,
Thank you for your comment.
When we read the Bible and Quran, we find it difficult to reconcile the differences in the descriptions of God. Christians believe there is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do you know any Muslims that believe that?
There are other differences in the beliefs of Christians and Muslims that are difficult to reconcile. One example is that Muslims believe their confession about God and their good deeds will allow them to go to heaven. But Christians believe we can never do enough good deeds, so we need Isa Al-Masih to forgive our sins, which He did when He died on the cross and rose again. Can Muslims agree with that truth?
There are many more examples. With these differences in beliefs, we believe it makes it very difficult for people of two different religions to have a long, happy marriage.
Jasmin
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Is it equitable, fair, just and of good conscience to allow Muslim men to engage in interfaith marriage whilst Muslim women shall not?
Dear Olamide,
Thank you for your comment.
Allah created men and women equally in His eyes. They were given a good conscience in their hearts to know the truth, love and to do good. A person’s conscience must be guarded, otherwise it will damage and make the person die spiritually.
May I ask you, what is your opinion about what Islam teaches? Do you think it is fair?
We follow Isa, who always treats men and women equally. Here is an example of His teachings:
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery” (Injil, Mark 10:11).
This command applies equally to men and women.
Would you like to learn more about other teachings from Isa ?
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Dear Jasmin,
I think it’s high time we all quit this religion diversion. We call ourselves believers but are we actually serving God or the religion? Most people behave badly with others because they are not of the same faith. The Qur’an and Bible both teaches us to live in peace, be kind to our neighbors and love our neighbors as ourselves but we all do the opposite all in the name of not being from the same religion.
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Dear Enny,
Thank you for your comment,
May I ask you, have you ever read the entire Bible and Quran? While they both have similarities and teach some good things, there are some major differences. The most important differences are about who Isa is and how we can go to heaven. Many Muslims live in fear and worry about Judgment Day because they have no assurance of salvation. However, Christians have true peace and joy because they know their sins are forgiven, and they will spend eternity in Heaven. Our desire is that Muslims will put their faith in the true Isa (Jesus) so they can experience this true peace and joy.
Do you understands the significance of Isa being God?
Dear Fadz,
Thank you for your comment but we are sorry we cannot post it. You can email us if you want to.
Dear Fadz,
Thank you for your comment but we are sorry we cannot post it. You can email us if you want.
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My Muslim boyfriend has asked me to marry him. I am a 51 year old that has been married twice before. He wants to get married in the mosque which is fine if allowed. I am church of england. Will this be a problem? What would i have to wear? How would this effect me? I need some advise.
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Dear Tracy,
Thank you for you comment. We also have sent you an email to reply your comment.
The Bible plainly states: “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14)? The purpose of married is to glorify God together. It isn’t possible to glorify God if the couple have different faith. It’s like a ship with two captains. May be not now, but later in the marriage it will surely be a problem.
We would suggest you to read these articles on the teaching in the Quran about how Muslims are allowed to treat women:
http://bit.ly/2Sv3eOo
http://bit.ly/37rmhgU
http://bit.ly/38sLsRw
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Hi, I’m Christian and have a suiter Afghanistan and he is Islam. Now he is asking me about marriage and I like him. I’m so confused because I know that it is not good to marry him since it was not the same faith. But are there any ways to him to do for us to be married?. I really do like him. Is he possible that he can be converted to Christianity?.
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Dear Deb,
Thank you for you comment. We also have sent you an email. Please check.
The Bible plainly states: “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14)? The purpose of marriage is to glorify God together. How can you do that when you have different core beliefs? It’s like a ship with two captains. Everything may seem okay at first, but later in the marriage it will surely be a problem.
I would suggest you to read these articles on the teachings in the Quran about the equality of men and women, and about marriage:
http://bit.ly/2Sv3eOo
http://bit.ly/37rmhgU
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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
I genuinely love this gentle, soft, and loving man who is faithful to Islam with good morals. He is a Turkish Muslim and I am Mexican Christian. We both agree that we believe in the same God with individual interpretations. We’ve already talked about our differences and how our spiritual journey may be an open challenge. We aren’t willing to give up God just because of a mixed religion marriage. We will be as comfortable as praying together. I just love this man and really want to marry him, have children and grow old with him. Is it really a sin to marry this man?
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Dear Denisse,
Marriage is a sacred and a lifetime commitment between a husband and a wife. It is written, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). This command was given to avoid future regrets and divorce. God has given us a free will to make a decision and we are responsible for our own choice. Please pray for the Lord’s clear direction and peace before you decide on the marriage.