Ruling on marriage of a Muslim man to a Christian woman who is stipulating that the marriage contract should be done in the church by the priest

Praise be to Allah.

We do not think that a Muslim man should marry a Christian woman for reasons that we have previously explained in fatwa no. 45645. That is under ordinary circumstances, so if we add to that her stipulation that the marriage contract should be done in the Christian manner, officiated by a priest, then undoubtedly this is not allowed and is haraam. How can a Muslim allow himself to enter the church so that a priest may do the marriage contract on the basis of belief in the cross and the sacrifice that is based on rejection of the Holy Quran? And it will not stop there; the sign of the cross will be made over him and his wife in order to bless them thereby. Can there be any difference of opinion concerning the fact that this is prohibited? 

In a fatwa issued by the Standing Committee – 1 (18/96) – it says: 

Is it permissible to do the marriage contract in a church? Is it permissible to do the marriage contract twice, once in the Islamic manner and the other in the Christian manner, so as to please both sides? 

Answer: it is not permissible to do the marriage contract in a church; the Islamic marriage contract is sufficient, and the other is not permissible. And Allah is the source of strength; may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz.

And Allah knows best.