Question:
Assalam w Alaikum Sheikh, i had a question based on evidence from the Quran and my own personal reasoning and i wanted to know how it aligned with Islamic Fiqh, in the Quran according to Surat Al Maidah verse 5 (5:5) god permits marriage between Muslims and Christians and Jews based on the condition that they are still monotheistic and follow the original divine revelation to some extent, however where my question comes into place is the Quran describes ahlul kitab to follow one god, which we can clearly see isn’t the case with today’s Christians as they take god to be in a trinity with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and some Jews these days don’t even believe in god as a whole yet say they are Jews. So is it right for us as Muslims to that this verse from the Quran no longer applies to us today and that we should stick to marriage between Muslims only? Would it also be right for me to say that for the most part ahlul Kitab also doesn’t exist today outside of Islam? The reason i say that is because the term itself is defined as people who have received and followed divine revelation from Allah, Jews and Christians both have corrupted their books as we know or have thrown them out the window completely so would it be fair to say that the ahlul kitab talked about in the Quran and the rules we have with them concerning marriage and other things no longer apply to us today in 2025?
Answer:
Wa ʿalaykum as-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh.
Your question reflects a deep engagement with the Qur’an and Islamic jurisprudence, and it’s commendable that you’re seeking clarity on this matter.
Yes, the Qur’an emphasizes that a believing woman is better than a non-believing woman, even if the latter pleases you. This is stated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:221):
“Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe; a believing slave woman is better than a free polytheist, even though she may please you.”
However, Islamic jurisprudence permits Muslim men to marry women from the People of the Book (i.e., Jews and Christians) under specific conditions. This exception is outlined in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:5)
“This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and yours is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, provided you give them their dowries, and take them in marriage, not in adultery, nor as mistresses..”
Jews and Christians Were Committing Shirk at the Time of the Prophet ﷺ
The Qur’an confirms that many Jews and Christians during the Prophet’s time held beliefs that Islam classifies as shirk:
- Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:73):
“They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the third of three.’…”
This addresses the Christian belief in the Trinity. - Surah At-Tawbah (9:30):
“The Jews say, ‘Ezra is the son of Allah’; and the Christians say, ‘The Messiah is the son of Allah.’…”
It highlights their claims of divine sonship. - Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:116):
“Did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?’…”
Jesus will deny these false claims on the Day of Judgment.
Despite these beliefs, they were still referred to as Ahl al-Kitāb, and marriage to their chaste women was permitted (5:5), showing that the ruling applied even with their deviations.
Conditions and Considerations:
While the Qur’an permits such marriages, it emphasizes certain conditions:
- Chastity: The woman must be chaste, meaning she abstains from unlawful sexual relations.
- Intent of Marriage: The marriage should be pursued with the intention of chastity, not merely for physical desire or as a secret relationship.
- Avoidance of Secret Relationships: The marriage should be public and not a means to legitimize a secret or illicit relationship. Islamic teachings discourage secret affairs and emphasize the importance of transparency and community acknowledgment in marital relationships.
Scholarly Perspectives:
Many scholars advise caution regarding such marriages in the contemporary context. Concerns include the potential impact on the Islamic upbringing of children and the religious environment of the household. While the permissibility remains, the practical implications require careful consideration.
Conclusion:
In summary, the Qur’anic permission for Muslim men to marry chaste women from the People of the Book remains valid today. However, it’s essential to ensure that the conditions outlined in the Qur’an are met and to consider the broader implications of such a union on one’s faith and family.
And Allah knows best.