Marriage Of A Muslim Woman To A Non-Muslim Man Is Invalid And Intercourse With Him Is Zina

Islamic Rulings - Living Shariah Verdicts

Islamic Questions & Answers

By Sheikh Saalih al-Fawzaan

What is Islam's attitude towards a Muslim woman who marries a non-Muslim man, because she needed to do that, i.e. she was forced into this marriage?.


Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a kaafir, and the marriage is not valid.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikoon[polytheists] till they believe (in Allaah Alone)"

[al-Baqarah 2:221]

"O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them; Allaah knows best as to their Faith, then if you ascertain that they are true believers send them not back to the disbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them"

[al-Mutahanah 60:10].

The fact that she was forced into that does not justify her giving in and surrendering to this marriage. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There is no obedience to any created being if it involves disobedience to the Creator."

This marriage is regarded as invalid, and intercourse with him is zina (fornication, adultery). End quote.

Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (3/174).

What is the punishment for a Muslim woman who marries a Christian man?

How is a woman to be punished if she marries a Christian? How often is it carried out and in what countries is it most common? - Written by Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Barraak


It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a kaafir (non-Muslim), whether he is Jewish, Christian or an idol-worshipper, because the man has authority over his wife, and it is not permissible for a kaafir to have authority over a Muslim woman. For Islam is the true religion and all other religions are false. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikoon till they believe (in Allaah Alone)" [al-Baqarah 2:221]

"And never will Allaah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers" [al-Nisaa' 4:141]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Islam should prevail and should not be prevailed over."

If a Muslim woman marries a kaafir when she knows the ruling, then she is a zaaniyah (adulteress), and her punishment is the punishment for adultery. If she was ignorant of the ruling then she is excused, but they must be separated, and there is no need for a divorce because the marriage is null and void. On this basis, the Muslim woman whom Allaah has honoured with Islam and her guardian must beware of that and must adhere to the limits set by Allaah, and they must feel proud of Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Those who take disbelievers for Awliyaa' (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory with them? Verily, then to Allaah belongs all honour, power and glory" [al-Nisaa' 4:139]

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