Interfaith Marriages - Islam: Questions You Were Always Afraid to Ask

This is one in a series of 17 short videos created by the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). In the videos, Dr. Hathout, a long-time leader in the American Muslim community answers point-blank questions about some of Islam's most controversial subjects, including women's rights, homosexuality and ideological violence. The conversations between Dr. Hathout and a diverse array of young Americans, were filmed at 89.3 KPCC's Crawford Family Forum.
Learn more...www.mpac.org/sp...

[@Leelz247]

I think the man who is speaking is very wise and compassionate. It's about understanding what you want, what is important to you, and doing the most to ensure success.

[@Vegan_scorpioo]

what is exactly Quornan says.All God just says under the name of variety of laws and taboo is all about being succesful human ,

[@bodee4332]

I have been with my wife for many years although we think different and believe differently We share the main interest: love

[@zazilicious]

The challenges are more cultural than religious!! If they are both from the same country and speak the same languages and from the same village and are both God fearing they can have a successful marriage. When they have kids they should teach them both the Coran and the Bible and let them make up their mind as religion should never be forced upon anyone; if that wasn't the case God wouldn't have given us freewill. The only challenge will be if any family members dont approuve and interfere then they will have to make a difficult choice. Many interfaith couples mostly fear if their family will not approve.

[@sabz7776]

finaalllllyyyy someone with brains....thank God u commented.

[@ajiyatta7211]

it really makes sense

[@thelmavonhm9609]

True if the family doesn’t agree that marriage will be difficult

[@prashant1718]

Good thought.

[@fisebilillah4406]

A woman of the Book can marry a muslim if she agrees to raise their children as muslims. The children have to have the exact Islamic education as a child of both muslim parents.

[@charlienekwan721]

Religion divides people. God has no religion. God loves his people regardless of their status, race, education and religion. Love should be enough for couple to understand each others differences. Love is enough to break those boundaries. We should be an imitator of God's love with pure understanding and not to be an imitator of society that says two religion cant connect.

[@MadHatter42]

If God has no religion, why does He keep sending prophets and angels, telling people what to do? Jesus and Mohamed are pretty clear about their respective paths being the one and only way to salvation, are you saying those are not decisive, religious claims?

[@Marmelademeister]

Lenlen Nawk What about atheists? Basically all religions are telling me that God hates me because I don’t believe in him. But that’s okay. If God exists and is such an egotist/ egomaniac, then I better want nothing to do with him. Personally, I would very much hope that you’re right. But I believe that’s wishful thinking on your part. With the sole exception if Baha’i faith, to my knowledge, there is no religion that is not exclusive, intolerant and vile. It’s not that I don’t like the idea of a God. But since all religions are equally inconsistent and barbaric, unless you try hard to reinterpret everything and make a lot of excuses, I find it better not to assume any of them and rather trust my heart what is right. If God created me in his image, then that will guide me. And if not, too.

[@bigelowtech]

@@MadHatter42 religion is a Name we have put on faith. It divides. Of course God has no religion, as it is we who keep interpreting and naming new denominations of faith. Men are born to fall, and we must seek salvation within, for God is in all. No names, no divide. We lack the ability to see what God sees, but we keep trying, failing, killing... Men who seek to understand God are arrogant and will always fail. The only way to knowledge is to know what you don't know

[@Lucky_25]

I agree

[@franklyiamallbymyself2870]

So that means, it is actually allowed for Christians to marry a Muslim without changing religion. But it is just not recommended since the 'ingredients' is not enough to succeed. Interfaith is not a sin at all. Hope that Muslim countries can be more tolerable with interfaith marriage and stop teaching Muslim that interfaith is illegal. There are many poor interfaith couple out there had to sacrifice their relationship. Some even went on suicide as they can't handle their feeling of losing their loved ones. Some Muslim women even had to suppress their feeling and share husband with other Muslim women when they actually can marry someone who will only love them as the one and only wife till the end of their life. It is so sad to see most muslim majority country used Islam for political agenda instead of protecting the rights of all people.

[@theogsa5371]

Muslim man can marry chaste Muslims women and/or chrsitian or Jewish women (people of the book) but Muslim women can only marry Muslim men.

[@rimemahdi1218]

@@theogsa5371 it doesn't say that in the quran. Male Muslim scholars have made it up to suit their patriarchal, political and cultural agenda, and to control the reproductive facilities of Muslim women for their own survival. There is nothing Quranic in what you say.

[@YY-jk4nv]

OMG! That black girl is from ADD. Mind blown

[@sebia322]

Yh its meg ! Haha

[@ztoefy4026]

what is ADD?

[@sriramdasarathy9089]

All def digital

[@merradh]

as a muslim, i wonder why he didn't just say YES. because it's in the quran, clearly stated. a muslim man can marry book people (christian and jew) woman.

[@captainonee]

@merradh ok what if she is female

[@captainonee]

Ok what if she is female

[@vannakinder352]

In some cultures like that of Tibetan Muslims interfaith marriage is really common bc of the Tibetan people's shared struggle. I honestly think tbh there is not a straightforward answer for this in love. There is a more likely success if you marry inside your faith but it is not a guarantee in life.

[@777Johnny-y3u]

this guy can give a straight answer.

[@samcrosswords8979]

To answer your question which was not directly answered, it was already by Ahmed Tayeb , Alazhar prime scholar: Because we Muslim believe that Jesus and Moses prophets of God , people of the book (Ibrahamic faith), we can marry Christians and Jews women and still w’ll not interfere with their faith at home and forcing them to convert to Islam unless with her full will. The way around is less likely to happen because Christians and Jews are not believing in Mohamed peace be upon him, as God’s prophet, therefore the Muslim woman won’t necessarily benefit hith her Christian or Jew husband from same faith freedom at home.

[@user-fd9ph1jn1v]

Sam Crosswords but the Jews and Christians don’t believe in the same god. actually the Jews don’t even love Jesus... yet the Muslim women’s can married non Muslims if they converted to Islam...

[@sandysmith23]

It is best if you marry from the same religion.

[@krishnawidardjo5777]

Is there anybody here who have done interfaith marriage? if so, do you consider it successful? if so, how do you made it successful? if you fail, what happened and what do you think was wrong and how to correct it?

[@krishnawidardjo5777]

Fa Khairaruni hehehe iya Mba dari Indonesia :) mengingat sekarang lagi musim politik kayaknya semuanya lagi jadi keislaman. jadinya bertanya ke Mbah KZbin deh

[@afshanhaque9484]

He dodged the question

[@muhammedrashids7564]

Quran says in surah 5 ayat 5: a Muslim man can marry a Christian or Jewish woman. But not vice versa

[@user-fd9ph1jn1v]

MUHAMMEDRASHID.S MUHAMMEDRASHID.S It says women’s too but y’all Muslim men think that you’re some kind of Imams or something... in the future I will marry an atheist and nobody has the right to reject... I’m a Muslim BTW

[@rimemahdi1218]

But it doesn't prohibit it either...

[@mohammedsajjad5943]

Simple to understand as per Islam ( NO LOVE BEFORE MARRIAGE ). No question of men / women can marry a non-muslim or not. Rather than following some once suggestions. Why not read Quran and Bible to understand the criterias.

[@mallikarjun412]

We are humans bro. We have feelings. We are not a programmed shit.

[@naimajama3182]

Mallik Arjun When you choose to be Muslim you give up your rights to god and you submit to his will. This word is a test brother, you may enjoy all that is halal but judgement day awaits us all!

[@mr.kaplan7840]

Naima Jama Yep as a Muslim I agree, same goes with any religion. But people still sometimes will go their own way weather they are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, etc.

[@N-SeriesOfficial]

@@mr.kaplan7840 They Not Muslim But Munafiqun. submission.org/friday_definitions_hypocrites.html

[@miseendriste6337]

My brother in Ummah in reality in muslim communities there's no love after marriage too 🤣

[@mazzbalboa]

Watch Dr Naik on this subject.....he says quoting the Quran that neither are allowed, Man or Woman, to marry non Muslim until they convert. People misquoting as usual.....

[@ibrahimriversnoone9767]

SHE READ IT! ,SHE SAID IT!.....ITS CLEAR! [Disobedience is a sin for muslims-accept it or not just don't color it to your favor] Will we allow ourselves to be misguided by our whims(what you want to practice) and the manipulation of clear orders by people who change the simple meaning to accommodate transgression?? Or will we comply?....the 'choice ' is ours to make .... the violation is ours to pay🤔 I advise we not try bending the rules ,its COSTLY FOR US!!

[@mariemartin5954]

What is the name of the book that was written by this man and the catholic archdiocese?

[@xtremeownage2]

A Muslim man can marry a Jew or Christian under certain circumstances. A Muslim woman can ONLY marry a Muslim man. It is impossible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim, this is not recognized in Islam and anything done between them is considered fornication and/or adultery, which is one of the greatest sins in Islam. People may say that such action is a form of apostasy, because the woman is believing in something against the Quran, and if you do not believe in the Quran you are not Muslim.

[@tusherkhan2416]

xtremeownage2m

[@tusherkhan2416]

Man vs woman fuking

[@loganrogan605]

xtremeownage2 patriarchy and mysoginism

[@SO-2671]

xtremeownage2 lol it’s not impossible their are Muslim women who marry non Muslims. I still don’t see the problem to be honest I always feel like the men can do more stuff and get away with it than women

[@user-ht9ug4zv6v]

They may be committing a major sin but that doesn't make them leave the fold of Islam. Be careful from what you say because that's incorrect. Only shirk can take you out of the fold of Islam. If a sister commits Zina there's still time for her to make towba but if she committed shirk there's no forgiveness for it. So you can't really say that a Muslimah who marries a non Muslim is no longer a Muslim. It's unfortunate that they're committing a sin but that doesn't mean that they're not our Muslim sisters.

[@aia1190]

it was scholars who collectively decided to interpret the verse as a prohibition for women and not for men but the verse is in reference to both men and women

[@jamila7544]

No you are lying, only men can marry people of the book although it is discouraged because of conflict of beliefs later in the marriage

[@aia1190]

@@jamila7544all you have to do is look into it.. it addresses both genders. Then ask yourself how does it make sense for it to be permissible for men and not for women ? Women have more influence over their children so if it were based on that alone it would be Muslim women who were allowed a man from any of the three main Faiths.

[@jamila7544]

@@aia1190 I’m assuming you are Muslim, therefore you should know that the mainstream and pretty much only position on this is that Muslim Men can marry the Women of the book I.e Christians and Jews and Muslim Women cannot, even then it’s not encouraged as a practice. Islam encourages critical thinking and the use of intellect, Allah constantly questions us “afala taqiloon” , “will you not use your intelligence” however when a matter such as this is so clear cut there is no doubt about it and we are questioning Allahs law, no amount of “looking into this” or “asking oneself” can justify obscuring what is already clear. As for women having more influence, I don’t believe this is relevant to the argument and doesn’t have a justification as to why she can marry a non-Muslim. Lastly, in Islam the Man is religiously obligated by his religion, if he marries a people from the book, to tolerate and allow his wife to practise her beliefs. It is religiously binding for him, whereas if a Muslim Woman were to marry from the people of the book, there is no religious binding upon the man for him to protect or tolerate his Muslim wife’s religious practice.

[@rimemahdi1218]

@@jamila7544 just because it is the mainstream, doesn't mean it is the correct answer. You talk about critical thinking, but you switch it off in favor of what is mainstream. Show clear cut evidence in the Quran where Allah himself has PROHIBITED (pay attention to this key word) it. I don't care what all the scholars or what the mainstream is, you want to make statements on Allah's law, show me explicitly in Allah's book, where Muslim women are prohibited from marrying men of the book.

[@jamila7544]

@@rimemahdi1218 2:221 don’t be arrogant and read it with an open mind, May Allah guide us all

[@azizaben7863]

why dont u answer ?

[@faridahussein4962]

Aziza Ben He looks like a Christian or Jewish

[@AlphaOmega888]

He's right because the research shows this. When there are different religions involved, while it may be permitted, the stats show that the kids do not feel a sense of belonging and that both couples end up not raising their kids with any religion. When you're young religion isn't important. When you get older and have life experience, you'll come back to religion when you're ready. If you have interfaith, there is a higher chance of problems down the road. It really is about the kids. If the woman is OK with it, she needs to convert because the man is the spiritual leader of the home. The man needs to ask her first, if she doesn't want to, then she's not a real wife long term because she doesn't recognize the man as the spiritual leader of the home. This trumps all else.

[@SO-2671]

Alpha Omega the question still hasn’t been answered if a man can marry a non Muslim why can’t a women? Because it can go both ways so why is okay for MEN to do it but not women

[@mariamismail6550]

I am so surprised swing megscoop outside of the add channel lol

[@NewtralHuman]

Simplified answer: In Islam men are *required* to protect, physically and financially secure and provide for the wife and children. Except for a couple who is divorced, this legal requirement either, does not exist, or cannot be practically enforced inside a marriage. Women who marry a non-Muslim should not expect their non-Muslim husbands, especially in the secular west, to live by the same requirements imposed on otherwise Muslim husbands. My opinion: There's this new generation of "progressive" Muslims, especially in the secular west, who want accommodate aspects of Secular ideology that eventually will lead to the erosion of healthy marriages and families. Christianity has already been inflicted with these same aspects. Soon you will see this same crowd seeking accommodations for the allowance of dating in Islam. Human desire for allowances and eventual corruption never stops.

[@rimemahdi1218]

The reality is that alot of Muslim men do not live up to what is required of them. There are plentiful examples of Muslim men who do not provide or protect their families. Every single Muslim man I've met, either in my familial circle or extended, fails at their duties, and the women entrapped to them are damned in this life. Yes, they will have to answer for themselves, but it doesn't change the damage that women face being married to them and the fathers they are to their children. And the toxic cycle or trauma continues. Muslim men emigrate to the west because they care about the material. They don't think about the impact is will have on their children's religion. This is the real issue you find when it comes to safeguarding Islamic practices in the home. Children and women are more likely to have a safe and secure home environment if they weren't limited to marrying Muslim men.

[@sportstours24]

and then you wonder when civilized people criticize you guys... Love is far superior to any religion.

[@rifaarsh]

Prashant azazel Religion comes from God. God created Love. So God's Love is far superior to any other type of Love. So If you love God, love those who love Him because ultimately we will return back to Him and that's when you will realize that the person who's love you put forward before the love of God cannot avail you in anything in the next life. "So worship what you will besides Him." Say, "Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss." (Quran 39:15)

[@sportstours24]

well for me, love is way superior to any religious beliefs. again, I am an atheist- so that explains it I guess.

@@sportstours24 Tell this Bullshit to the Jews who you say are Progressive, atleast Islam Allows Men to Marry outside Religion but Judaism Forbids it to Both Genders... This is only because Allah Cares about his Female Followers and keeps them restricted only to Muslim Men because Non Muslim Men are Heathens, they can't even take care of their own Women, Look at the Divorce Rates oh my God! Now a days they don't even Marry their own Women and just Dump them after having Fun with them.. Islam has the Best choice for Women, It Actually protects them from this kind of Abuse...

[@Marmelademeister]

Saaduddin Ansari The dicorce rates are high now. Used to be very different.

[@user-ht9ug4zv6v]

I'd rather love God then love the creation that is of no benefit. Love for God comes first in a relationship.

[@Mustafa-qr8vu]

Muslim men can also not marry a woman who does not believe in one God. Simple

[@Christ_TheWay]

The question was clear. The answer- garbled.

[@user-fd9ph1jn1v]

Stuart MC I’m a Muslim and i can answer you. Prophet Muhammad daughter was married to atheist guy... so he hated the prophet and started a war against him the prophet told her your his wife I can’t force you to leave him so she said but you are my father, so she left her husband. then the Quran says that Muslims can’t married from other religions unless the other person will convert to Islam for men and women!! So yes Muslim women’s can married non Muslims if they converted to Islam...

[@Megasupercoolest]

Agreed

[@Megasupercoolest]

Love should conquer all whether that person will convert or not. You cannot force anyone to convert. You should love people from who they are not muslim. This is just plain brainwashing.

[@user-fd9ph1jn1v]

BetterBest1 It might be brainwashed for you.... Quran say they have to convert or the Muslim girl won’t marry them...

[@user-fd9ph1jn1v]

Jancy Varghese Yes even if they were of any religion they’re allowed to marry Muslims but they have to convert to Islam.

[@ashikmiah9425]

Is this guy for real?

[@AM-ve3um]

Answer the damn question already!

[@samvarupa2929]

He was wrong Islam has exactly what to do in merrige with different religions bride or groom needs to convert prior merrige

[@metalheadtaz]

Marry whoever you want. Do some ijtihad and assess the Quran objectively. Don't succumb to Wahabbism or Hadithism

[@goutamdutta1017]

He averted the main question. It was a very good question and difficult to answer honestly.

[@safurasalam]

He talked around the issue. In my opinion a muslim who wants to marry a non-muslim (male or female) is suspect. Becuz a believer wants his/her children to benefit from this faith on every way. If u die or divorce you don't want ur kids to end up in the gospel choir do you? Also if u put Allah first u need somebody who I on the same page. So if your SPOUSE is enough for u to put your Lord on the back burner then ur prioritiea are suspect.

[@alidwana]

that guy I don't think he is knowledgeable about Deen and he didn't give clear and right answer. He was shy to tell the truth about this marriage. Shame on him

[@annural_whitner]

Exactly this is why Allah says stay within your ranks!

[@trinidadiangirl]

It is not for you to criticize the intent of one who wishes to marry a woman of the book just because you do not like it. It is permissible. While I agree there will be challenges in an interfaith marriage, I would imagine challenges also exist in islamic marriages so speculation about children singing in the church choir is a bit of an imaginative reach.

[@safurasalam]

***** unfortunately sister, I am NOT imagining it. I have seen this scenario go down so many times and the VAST majority of them don't end well. BECAUSE a person well rooted in their faith would ACTIVELY seek a mate on that same path. So while mixed marriages CAN work out, they often don't. And let me just say, it is often the WOMEN and the CHILDREN that suffer most in the long run.

[@trinidadiangirl]

Qadrullah. It's still permissible for bot men and women.

[@SALIMSHA1971]

This video should be banned cause this man is miguiding.

[@Marmelademeister]

SALIM SHA Ijtihad, do you know what it means?

[@samcrosswords8979]

Wise and pragmatic, caring about marriage success and more and over down line is the future of children if things will go wrong.

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

Liar.

[@farhanbinfuad3368]

Islam is not what you want... Islam is what God wants.... If God says Muslim women must marry Muslim men... They have to. There are no other ways. If she does... She is not Muslim anymore and it is a great sin. For Muslim men they can marry a women from abrahamic religions under certain circumstances.

[@rimemahdi1218]

God didn't say Muslim women have to marry Muslim men. Muslim men said Muslim women can only marry Muslim men. God said that both Muslim men and Muslim women cannot marry polytheists, and that Muslim men can marry women of the book. But God didn't say Muslim women CAN'T marry men of the book.

[@akaashiron]

is megscoop muslim

[@thefirstdream5514]

not correct

[@justarielle6587]

Is that Meg??? Woooooooooooow

[@marconjakecanonoy]

Lol liar!

[@sandysmith23]

The worst sin is to marry someone from a different religion. It is the worst sin possible

[@josephbamborough7142]

Why is it a 'sin'?

[@aismameijere-cirsa]

in other words ''integration'' with others is very, very hard for muslims.

[@arabatheist9557]

Aisma Meijere lol I think he means Christains because Christianity doesn't allow Christains to marry a Muslim or atheist.

[@Marmelademeister]

Arab Atheist That’s not correct, as far as I know (I’m an ex-Christian, now atheist). Christianism recommend to avoid the ‘unequally yoked’. But it’s not forbidden.

[@SO-2671]

Sandy Smith lool not it really isn’t

[@SubscribetoEndTheLGBTcommunity]

Don’t do Interfaith marriage