Living and working alongside people of many faiths, it is natural that some Muslims meet someone from a Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu or non-religious background and begin to consider marriage. Equally, non-Muslims sometimes reach this site because they have fallen for a Muslim and want to understand what their partner's faith expects.
This page sets out the mainstream Islamic positions on interfaith marriage as they are generally taught, along with the questions about conversion, children and civil law that couples should face honestly. It does not issue rulings. Situations differ, scholars differ on details, and anyone considering such a marriage should speak to a qualified scholar they trust.
A Muslim man and a Christian or Jewish woman
The Quran (5:5) permits Muslim men to marry chaste women from the People of the Book, generally understood as Christians and Jews. This is the majority position across the Sunni schools, and is also held, with various conditions, in Shia jurisprudence, where some scholars limit it to temporary marriage or regard it as disliked.
Even where permitted, many scholars past and present have discouraged it, particularly in non-Muslim countries, because of concerns about the children's religious upbringing, the stability of the family and legal custody if the marriage ends. Some scholars also debate whether a woman who is Christian or Jewish in name only, without belief, falls within the permission. A wife who remains Christian or Jewish is not required to convert, and she should never be pressured to do so.
A Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man
The mainstream position across the classical Sunni and Shia schools is that a Muslim woman may not marry a non-Muslim man, including a Christian or Jewish man. This is based on scholars' reading of verses such as 2:221 and 60:10, and it reflects a broad consensus held over many centuries. A small number of contemporary voices have argued otherwise, but their view is not accepted by the great majority of scholars and institutions.
In practice, many such couples find that the man considers Islam. That decision has to be his own, as discussed below. Couples in this situation should seek guidance from a qualified scholar rather than relying on online opinions.
Other faiths and no faith
For marriage with a Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh or atheist partner, the mainstream view in all major schools is that it is not permitted for either Muslim men or Muslim women, since the permission in 5:5 is specific to the People of the Book. There has been scholarly discussion about some other historical communities, but the general position remains as stated. Again, consult a scholar for your particular circumstances.
Conversion must be free and sincere
The Quran states that there is no compulsion in religion (2:256). A conversion made only to satisfy a partner's family, or under emotional pressure, is unfair to the person and can lead to great unhappiness later. Sincere conversion usually follows real study, time and personal conviction.
If your partner is exploring Islam, give them space, good books, a welcoming mosque and contact with other converts. Our guides for converts seeking a spouse and for reverts finding a match may help them see what life as a Muslim spouse can look like. Many people say the most persuasive thing was simply seeing their partner's faith lived with kindness.
Children and family life
Most interfaith couples find that children raise the hardest questions. Before marrying, talk about:
- the faith in which children will be raised, and what that means day to day;
- schooling, religious classes and festivals such as Eid and Christmas;
- food at home, including halal meat and alcohol;
- relationships with grandparents of both faiths;
- what happens if one partner's beliefs change over time.
Families on both sides may need reassurance. Introduce them gradually and treat each other's traditions with respect, even where you do not share them.
Civil law and registration
Civil law and religious law are separate. In the UK and most Western countries, two adults of any religion may marry in a civil ceremony, and the religion of the spouses generally makes no legal difference. A nikah performed alone may not be legally recognised, so couples usually also register the marriage with the local registry office.
In some Muslim-majority countries the position is different: marriage law may be based on religious family law, and an interfaith marriage involving a Muslim woman may not be registrable at all, or may require proof of the husband's conversion. Anyone marrying abroad, or hoping to have a marriage recognised in a Muslim-majority country, should check with the relevant authorities and a family lawyer. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Questions to settle before you commit
- Have you each spoken to a qualified scholar or faith leader?
- Is any conversion genuinely free and unpressured?
- Have you agreed how children will be raised?
- Do you know how your families are likely to respond?
- Will the marriage be civilly registered and recognised where you live?
For the wider process of meeting someone in a respectful, marriage-minded way, see our halal dating guide.