Can a muslim and a christian live togther in marriage harmoniously and should the christian be made aware of the muslim's religion? Experiences would be great if you have any.
2006-11-02 00:17:16 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, it is possible to have a successful interreligious marriage, if both partners are willing to accept those differences. There will need to be a discussion about how the kids (should you have any) would be raised. You may choose to bring them up in one tradition while teaching them about the other, or perhaps find some way to encorporate both into their lives. I'm from such a marriage (Jewish father, Roman Catholic Christian mother) and while I was raised as a Christian, we also celebrated Jewish holidays like Hanukkah.
As for whether one partner should be made aware of the other's religion, absolutely! Especially since the relationship is serious enough to be considering marriage, it's crucial to communicate about these kinds of details with your partner if the relationship is to be successful. Withholding that information is not respectful of the other partner, as they should be aware of the faith of their partner when they marry him/her (particularly if marriage is viewed as a holy union).
2006-11-02 00:27:10 · answer #1 · answered by phaedra 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Thank you for this question.
I think the answer lies in the hearts of the individuals. There is a high rate of divorce even in cases where the two people are the same religion and culture. I also have heard people say they can't get along because they are of two different religions and they are talking about Lutherans and Catholics!
As an Imam I advise people who come to me about getting married. I usually counsel against mixed marriages because of the question of the religion of the children. If both are practicing, then surely, from experience, there will be problems later on no matter how amicable it seems at the moment.
But that is not to say that it can work out and that it can also be a wonderful interfaith education for the children. When I was growing up in the 1950's USA I sometimes admired the few schoolmates I had from mixed racial marriages because of the diversity of their views.
Legally speaking, in Islam a Muslim man is allowed to marry Christian and Jewish women but a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a non-Muslim man of any other faith. I know of several "Marriage Conversions" because of this but I do not have enough experience over time with them yet to know how it worked out.
And Allah knows best
Peace and Blessings,
Salim
2006-11-02 08:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by إمام سليم چشتي 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This would, no doubt, be a most pleasing marriage in the sight of God. In order for the marriage to be a "fortress of well-being" (as marriage is intended to be), both must show utmost reverence and respect for each other's religious beliefs. Harmony would certainly be established if the partners took time out to pray and study both religions together. In doing this, they will find their common ground (the SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS of all religions are the same) and learn to accept the uncommon ground (the SOCIAL LAWS differ from one religious dispensation to another). Also don't forget to include in-laws. They can make life VERY difficult if they object strongly to one religion or another. If you'd like to investigate a religion that believes that Christ and Mohammed are Divine Messengers from the one, true God you may want to start at www.bahai.org.
God be with you both.
2006-11-02 08:39:13 · answer #3 · answered by Linell 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I know it's not the same, but one of my best friends is muslim, and I was raised christian. I'm not a practicing christian, but I have always been brought up in a religious house. And I love the fact that we are differant religions, races and cultures. Provided you respect each other, it makes for an interesting relationship.
2006-11-02 08:20:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. They can live together. But try to convince till they believe in ONLY ONE GOD, ISLAM. If one thinking of marrying other than religion Islam then better to revert them back to Islam before marrying them.
Do Not Marry Idol Worshipers
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura2.htm
[2:221] Do not marry idolatresses unless they believe; a believing woman is better than an idolatress, even if you like her. Nor shall you give your daughters in marriage to idolatrous men, unless they believe. A believing man is better than an idolater, even if you like him. These invite to Hell, while GOD invites to Paradise and forgiveness, as He wills. He clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may take heed.
Do Not Follow Your Parents' Religion Blindly
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura5.htm
[5:104] When they are told, "Come to what GOD has revealed, and to the messenger," they say, "What we found our parents doing is sufficient for us." What if their parents knew nothing, and were not guided?
[5:105] O you who believe, you should worry only about your own necks. If the others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long as you are guided. To GOD is your ultimate destiny, all of you, then He will inform you of everything you had done.
2006-11-02 08:33:20 · answer #5 · answered by A2Z 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had a friend who at one time was Muslim (before marriage). He married a xitian and converted to xtianity but after much study he couldnt handle some of the xitian theology and decided that he wanted to convert to Orthodox Judaism. His wife refused to convert to Judaism (they wont convert you in a mixed marriage) so he felt that the only way he could truly be part of a monotheistic religion and still be married to a xitian was to return to Islam. Eventually, his wife came around and embraced Judaism and they both converted Orthodox. Whew! What a story.
2006-11-02 08:27:05 · answer #6 · answered by james.parker 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I know a young woman (Catholic) who just married a Muslim and in over hearing her conversations, things are not so peaceful.
I don't know if this means that it never works out or not.
We have another friend who was married to an Arab. Though he was not a Muslim, cultural differences tore them apart and they are divorced.
I suspect that even if you toss the religion aside, many times you will find that the cultural difference cannot be overcome.
It would be interesting to hear from those who DID make it work though.
2006-11-02 08:22:54 · answer #7 · answered by lilly 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Absolutely not. A Christian should not marry a Muslim. The religions are opposed to each other. They do not have the same God. This is not to say that all Muslims are bad. It says that their religions will continually drive them a part. Marriage is no good apart.
2006-11-02 08:27:54 · answer #8 · answered by Desperado 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Its ok, for a Muslim Man to Marry a Woman from the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) but not to others. It is not ok, for a Muslim woman to marry any non-Muslim man.
2006-11-02 08:22:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
a muslim man can marry a non muslim women but not vice versa
2006-11-02 09:59:45 · answer #10 · answered by listlessbutdiligent 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋