What Islam says about having nonmuslim wife?

In Islamic jurisprudence, the permissibility of interfaith marriages differs for Muslim men and women, based on interpretations of the Qur'an and Hadith.

✅ Permissibility for Muslim Men

A Muslim man is permitted to marry a woman from the "People of the Book," namely Christians and Jews, provided she is chaste and the marriage is conducted with the intention of a lawful union. This is supported by the Qur'anic verse:

"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. [Lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you..."

— Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:5)

However, scholars advise caution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Islamic values within the household and ensuring that the non-Muslim spouse does not influence the family's religious practices negatively.

❌ Prohibition for Muslim Women

Conversely, Islamic teachings prohibit Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men, regardless of whether the men are from the People of the Book or other faiths. The rationale includes concerns about the husband's potential influence over the wife's religious practice and the religious upbringing of future children. The Qur'an states:

إسلام أون لاين

"Do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. A believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you."

— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:221)

Furthermore, Islamic scholars have consistently interpreted such marriages as invalid, emphasizing the importance of preserving the Islamic faith within the family structure.