Is it Permissible to Marry a Woman From Ahlul Kitaab?
Compiled by Abul Layth
There is disagreement regarding the permissibility of marrying a woman from the people of the Book. The following research is a collection of quotes and opinions ranging from permissibility to Makruh to Haraam.
Allah, the exalted, says in the Qur’an:
وَلا تَنْكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ
“And do not marry pagan women (Mushrikaat) until they believe.” [2:221]
This is a general verse declaring that the pagan women are forbidden to marry Muslim men, and vice versa. However, there is a specific (khaas) verse wherein Allah ta’alaa states,
الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُن
“This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food 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…” [5:5]