FatwaFederal TerritoriesMarriage & Family
AL-KAFI #484: PERKAHWINAN DENGAN PEREMPUAN AHLI KITAB
What is the ruling on a Muslim man marrying a woman from the People of the Book?
Short answer
Scholars differ on defining the People of the Book, and the view of Imam al-Shafi'i and Imam al-Shirazi, limiting it to the descendants of Bani Israel, is preferred as more accurate.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Marriage & Family
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Scholars differ on defining the People of the Book, and the view of Imam al-Shafi'i and Imam al-Shirazi, limiting it to the descendants of Bani Israel, is preferred as more accurate. The 18th National Fatwa Committee Conference (1980) ruled that a Muslim's marriage to a non-original Kitabiyyah woman is invalid in the Shafi'i school. Such marriages already conducted in the past are permissible by the view of some scholars if the contract followed Islam and the family lives Islamically, including raising the children, otherwise the marriage must be annulled. A marriage between Christian spouses where the husband later embraces Islam is valid provided his life follows Islamic ways.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Pernikahan orang Islam dengan perempuan Kitabiah (bukan asli) adalah tidak sah mengikut mazhab Shafie.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #484: PERKAHWINAN DENGAN PEREMPUAN AHLI KITAB”, 5 December 2016. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/1389-al-kafi-li-al-fatawi-siri-ke-484-perkahwinan-dengan-perempuan-ahli-kitab. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-marrying-woman-people-of-the-book/