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Fatwa CenterHe wants to marry a Christian woman in Europe
Question
I'm Muslim living in an European country and I would marry a Christian woman but I don't know Muslims to attest the Islamic marriage, so the question is: must I marry by the Islamic way? Or it is ok for the moment.
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, sallallaahu 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
You should know that in general, it is not permissible for a Muslim to conclude a marriage contract without abiding by the religious requirements, among which is the presence of two trustworthy witnesses and the presence of the guardian of the wife. The Muslim jurists 
differed whether or not the marriage of a Muslim with the presence of two Christian witnesses is valid. The majority of them consider that the marriage is not valid, although Imaam Abu Haneefah, and Abu Yoosuf consider that it is valid. In any case, you should endeavour to find two Muslim men to witness your marriage, and if it is possible for you to marry in another country when you can fulfill this requirement, then that would be better. If this is not feasible, then you can act according to the opinion of Abu Haneefah, and Abu Yoosuf as the issue is a matter of Ijtihaad (a juristic opinion on matters which are not specified in the Quran or the Sunnah).
Finally, we remind you that it is more appropriate to look for a Muslim wife even in another country, as getting married with a woman of the People of the Book, even if it is permissible in principle, has many disadvantages.
Allaah Knows best.
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