Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I have a friend who is a Hindu, we love each other and want to marry. As a muslim boy, how should I make a decision? Also, I want to know my responsibilities towards my parents, family and how should I consider those while making the decision regarding marriage?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Marrying a Non-Muslim Hindu Girl

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 221:Do not marry ‘mushrik’ woman, unless they believe.

In light of the above clear commandment of Allah Subhanah in the Quran, it is not permitted and it is ‘haraam’ for a believing man to marry a ‘mushrik’ (Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi, etc.) woman, unless they profess belief in Allah as their Lord and Creator; believe in all His Messengers, all His Revealed Books, the Angels, the Divine Decree, the Hereafter, and declare the testification of Islam:  ‘Laa Ilaaha illallaah, Mohamed ar Rasool Allah’.   

If the girl you wish to marry declares her belief in the Oneness of Allah, and believes that Mohamed (saws) is the Last and Final Messenger of Allah, of her own free will; then it would be legal for you to marry her.   

But if the girl refuses to declare belief in Allah and His Last Messenger (saws), the marriage would be deemed null and void in the sight of Islamic Law.

Your statement: Also, I want to know my responsibilities towards my parents, family and how should I consider those while making the decision regarding marriage?

It is not a must that the parents must choose the bride.   Anyone can recommend a believer to marry any eligible woman, but it is definitely preferred that the parent’s approval and permission is sought.

First thing to do is that the girl should embrace Islam then you should take the permission of your parents. IF any reason your parents are against this marriage you should obey your PARENTS opinion because Allah and His Messenger (saws) have declared marriage a Sunnah (voluntary) in Islam,  but have commanded and made it ‘Fard-Ayn’ (absolutely obligatory) on every believer to obey their parents.   

It is better and purer for the believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, to obey his/her parents; in preference to his/her desires.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Bani Israel verses 23-24:

Your Lord has enjoined the following: You should not worship anyone but Him Alone!  Treat your parents with great kindness;  if either or both of them attain old age, do not even say ‘uff’ to them;  nor rebuke them;  but speak to them kind words.  Treat them with humility and tenderness and pray, “O our Lord be merciful to them, just as they brought me up with kindness and affection in my childhood.”

It does not behave a believer, who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, to oppose his parents in anything; except if they force you to worship another deity with Allah!    Leave alone opposing them on a trivial matter like choosing one’s partner in marriage; Allah has commanded the believers that they should not even say ‘uff’ to them!   Allah Subhanah has commanded the believers to treat their parents with great kindness, with humility, and with tenderness; and never ever to rebuke them in anything, but rather, always speak kind words to them and supplicate the Merciful Lord to have mercy on them.   

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan