Praise be to Allah.
Can a Muslim woman marry a Christian?
Muslim scholars unanimously agreed that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim , whether he is Jewish, Christian or anything else, because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
{And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allāh invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses [i.e., ordinances] to the people that perhaps they may remember.} [Al-Baqarah 2:221]
{And if you know them to be believers, then do not return them to the disbelievers; they are not lawful [wives] for them, nor are they lawful [husbands] for them.} [Al-Mumtahanah 60:10].
Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The Muslims agreed that a non-Muslim cannot inherit from a Muslim, and a non-Muslim man cannot marry a Muslim woman. (End quote from Al-Fatawa Al-Kubra, 3/130)
Moreover, “Islam is to prevail and is not to be prevailed over,” as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said. (Narrated by Ad-Daraqutni; classed as sound by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami`, no. 2778)
Why can’t a Muslim woman marry a non-Muslim?
The man is in a position of leadership over the woman, and it is prohibited for a non-Muslim to be in a position of leadership over a Muslim woman , because Islam is the true religion and all other religions are false.
If a Muslim woman marries a non-Muslim man, knowing the ruling thereon, then she is a fornicator and is subject to the Hadd punishment for Zina . If she was unaware of the ruling, then she is excused, but they must be separated, with no need for divorce, because the marriage is invalid in the first place.
Advice for Muslim women and their guardians
Based on that, the Muslim woman whom Allah has honoured with Islam and her guardian must beware of that and adhere to the limits set by Allah, and be proud of being Muslims. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
{Whoever desires honour [through power] - then to Allāh belongs all honour.} [Fatir 35:10]
We advise this woman to end her relationship with that Christian man, because it is not permissible for a woman to form a relationship with a man who is a non-Mahram to her .
But if he chooses to become Muslim willingly and voluntarily, then there is nothing wrong with her marrying him, if her guardian agrees to that.
However, we advise what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed, which is that she should choose for herself someone who is religiously committed and of good character.
We ask Allah, may He be exalted, to set her affairs straight and guide her.
And Allah knows best.
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