Nikah with a Christian Girl

Question

According to the religion of Islam, nikah with the People of the Book is permitted. On the basis of this ruling, may a Muslim marry a Christian Roman Catholic girl? What will happen regarding the children in this connection? Both parties agree that the children will be brought up on the teachings of the religion of Islam. However, the girl can obtain permission for the marriage from the church only if she declares that at least the children will be baptised.

Answer

There is room for a Muslim man to marry a woman of the People of the Book, but it involves harms (mafasid), and Hazrat ‘Umar ﵁ forbade it. Therefore, as far as possible, such a step should not be taken. If a Muslim is in a place where a Muslim woman cannot be found, and arranging it from elsewhere is also difficult, and he fears falling into sin, then in such a state of…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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