Question Summary:
Marrying a Christian woman

Question Detail:

Assalam-o-allekum,I really need help, Well i want to ask is it permissible for a muslim boy to marry a christian girl? according to my research so far, yes this is permissible but the woman has to be a chest woman, meaning she didn't had any sexual relationships with anyone, i want to know what if that woman never had any sexual relationships but she had been a rape victim several times by someone who was blackmailing her to do this, are we then allowed to marry her? while she follows her religion! Kindly give me a answer ASAP i really need your help! JazaKallah

Answer :

In principle, it is permissible for a Muslim male to marry a Christian female. It presents one with the opportunity to introduce her to Islam and embrace Islam. It is not necessary that the Christian female be chaste and did not have intimate relationship before. If she was a victim of rape then too the nikaah with her will be valid. The husband should make every possible attempt to invite her towards Islam.[i]
The above is a general rule. However when one decides to marry a Christian, he should consider some of the major following challenges that come along with marrying her.
(a)  If she is strong in her religion and the husband is weak in practicing Islam, there is a fear that she may influence him into Christianity. In such a situation, it will not be even permissible to marry a Christian as one puts his Iman at risk.
(b)  You may also face major challenges in raising your children according to Islamic ethics and values. Before committing to marrying a Christian, consider all angles seriously. A believer ought to be sensitive to his Iman and should make Iman his measure and criteria before making any decision.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Muhammad IV Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.