Hazara Islamicus (Nov 2014)
Marriage with Al-Kit┐ biyyah (Woman from the People of the Book): Its Verdict, Principles and Evils
Abstract
A comprehensive study of the Qur’┐ n and Sunnah shows the importance of family in Islamic Shar┘ ‘ah. The reason for this consideration is that the family is the first institution for the training of child. If the institution is well equipped morally, religiously and traditionally, then it will reflect in the personality of a child who is in fact a member of our future generation. This is why our Prophet (SAW) urged us to proffer for marriage a religious woman. On the other hand in Surah al-Ma'idah verse: 5, Almighty Allah permitted the Muslims to marry the chaste woman from the people of the Book (al-kit┐ biyyah). Because of this permission many Muslims married al-kit┐ biyyah, but most of these marriages ended with failure. Now the question is why this failure, while the Qur’┐ nic verdict is very clear. Is the verdict conditional or unconditional? If conditional then what are those conditions? This article answers to these questions. All the conditions pertaining to the marriage with al-kit┐ biyyah are taken from the Qur’┐ n and Sunnah. Similarly, the basic principles of Shar┘ ‘ah which regulate this type of marriage, are also incorporated in this article. At the end all those evil consequences are pointed out which occurred as result of ignoring these conditions. This article also provides guidance to those who intend to have this type of marriage. All merits and demerits are illustrated with examples.
