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Fatwa CenterIssues concerning a Christian or Jewish women married to a Muslim man
Question
1- Is it permissible for a Muslim man to marry a Christian woman?
2- If so, does she have to become a Muslim after marriage?
3- If my wife wants to become a Muslim, how can she do this?
4- Do you have any religious books in English?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His Slave and Messenger.
Allaah The Almighty has allowed Muslim men to marry chaste Muslim women with strong faith. Allaah The Almighty also Says that slave Muslim women are better than free non-Muslim women. He Says (what means): {And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you.} [Quran 2:221] The rationale behind this is mentioned in the verse (what means): {Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allaah invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission.} [Quran 2:221]
Allaah The Almighty has also allowed Muslim men to marry Jewish and Christian women. Such women share some beliefs with Muslim women such as belief in Allaah The Almighty, the Last Day, reckoning and punishment, and such beliefs may help non-Muslim women to become Muslims.
However only chaste Jewish and Christian women can be married. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {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.} [Quran 5:5]
Thus it is impermissible to marry non-chaste Jewish or Christian women. Indeed ‘Umar 
forbade the Sahaabah (Companions) from marrying non-chaste Jewish or Christian women.
It is better for a Muslim man to marry a Muslim woman for several reasons, however, including but not limited to:
1- A Muslim woman can give her children an Islamic upbringing and her children will not be harmed in case of separation due to death or divorce because they share the same religion as their mother.
2- A Jewish or a Christian mother may influence the creed and behavior of her children.
3- Many Jewish and Christian women, particularly Europeans, abandon their religion to other beliefs, such as existentialism, and some even become atheists with no connection to religion whatsoever. Also, many of them are not chaste. Hence, an essential condition of the permissibility of such a marriage is not even met
If a Muslim man is sure that a Jewish or a Christian woman is chaste and that she has not abandoned her religion, then he is allowed to marry her. However, it is not recommended that Muslim men marry such women except in very limited cases. A lot of problems arise from such marriages and a Muslim man would be better off avoiding them. It is especially risky to marry a Jewish woman nowadays, for Jews may use their women to corrupt and spy on Muslims, a well-known tactic that they use with their enemies.
If a Muslim man marries a Christian or a Jewish woman she does not have to become a Muslim. However, her husband should encourage her to be a Muslim, using words and actions, to save her from Hell.
If a Christian or a Jewish wife wants to become a Muslim, then she only has to say the two testimonies of faith: "Laa Ilaaha Illa Allaah Muhammad Rasool Allaah (There is no god but Allaah. Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah)." Moreover, she must dissociate herself from all Christian or Jewish beliefs, such as believing that ‘Eesa (Jesus) 
is a god or a son of God, worshipping ‘Eesa or Maryam (Mary), may Allaah exalt their mention, and so on. Afterwards, she must perform Salah (prayer) and learn the chapter of Faatihah, which is enough to make her prayers valid.
This website does not contain religious books in English. However, you can benefit from what is translated into English on the site. You can also go to the website's services section to find out further Islamic websites in English.
Allah Knows best.
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