Second sincere question about Islam regarding People of the Book?

Question

I am hoping someone can offer me some clarification on this issue. Why is it that Muslim men can marry women of the book (Christianity and Judaism) when these women are not true believers? Thus if they are not true believers, they will not be wearing the hijab, and they will not ultimately reach heaven/paradise right? So how can this type of woman be of a quality that is for marriage but not enough quality to reach God? How can one marry a non-believer and it is legitimate? It just seems like a contradiction.

Thx in advance for any answers that you may be able to provide!

Answer 1

peace MorningStar,

islam allows muslim men to marry either believing muslim women or chaste women from the people of the book (jews and christians):

(005:005)

(Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,

it is not for a muslim to judge who will or will not attain paradise. in deed, this is solely god's prerogative. jews and christians made similar claims:

(002:111)

And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."

(002:112)

Nay,-whoever submits His whole self to Allah and is a doer of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

the only unforgivable sin in islam is to die in a state of associating partners with god. god might forgive anything less than that to whomsoever he pleases. allah says in the quran:

(004:048)

Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin.

and the people of the book most certainly believe in god.

(029:046)

And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)."

those people of the book who followed the true teachings of their messengers before prophet mohammad (peace be upon him) may hope for god's mercy:

(002:062)

Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

(003:055)

Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

for those who follow these scriptures in the present day, and reject the prophethood of mohammad (peace be upon him), it is for god to judge. it is also sufficiently clear that those who associate partners with god have gone far astray:

(017:039)

Take not, with Allah, another object of worship, lest thou shouldst be thrown into h**l, blameworthy and rejected.

you should use the terms unbelievers and disbelievers with due caution and sensitivity. for an excellent discussion, i recommend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyMD_tE6U...

furthermore allah says in the quran:

(049:013)

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

make special note that the above verse addresses all humanity, not merely believers or muslims.

in summary, god knows best who will and will not enter paradise. it is permissible for muslim men to marry believing christian or jewish women as established according to the quran and authentic traditions of the prophet (peace be upon him).

may god guide us to the straight path

Answer 2

Your question on Hijab - God ordered all woman to cover up whether you be Jew, Christian or Muslim. Other religions have changed this to suit the modern times.

On Marriage - i have asked an Imaam about this. He said that although it is not forbidden, it is often not advised to marry someone of a different religion. But if the couple decides to get married they will not be stopped because there will be some hope of a revert to Islam.

Answer 3

Don't you think that your question better should be ask in the Religious than travel section?

Most women who decide to marry Muslims are converting from Christianity into Islam. After they do, they will follow the dress code and wear the hijab.

It's neither up to you nor to me to decide who is a true believer and what will be happening.