Islamic scholar Sheikh Iliyas Abdul Rahman has explained that Islam permits Muslim men to marry non-Muslim women, including Christians, but emphasised that the practice comes with certain conditions.

According to him, although the religion allows such unions, the decision should not be based solely on emotions or physical attraction.

Speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM on March 10, 2026, Sheikh Abdul Rahman referenced the Qur’an to explain the religious basis for the allowance.

“It’s acceptable for a Muslim to marry a non-Muslim. Quran chapter 5:5, but there are some arrangements one needs to follow,” he said.

He also addressed the issue of polygamy in Islam, stating that although Muslim men are allowed to marry up to four wives, the decision must be guided by responsibility and proper living conditions.

“We could marry up to four wives, but you just decided on marrying up to four. There are also rules governing that. Some people would in a single room with 34 children and not working, just because Allah said we should get married, which doesn’t make sense,” he stated.

Sheikh Abdul Rahman further noted that a Muslim man who intends to marry a Christian woman should have a clear purpose that benefits the faith.

“To marry a Christian woman, the first rule to follow is what you think you saw in the Christian woman that would be beneficial to Islam. It could be knowledge or something that we really need in Islam. It shouldn’t be about your feelings or her body shape,” he explained.

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He shared that the man must also have adequate knowledge of Islam to guide his partner.

“The man should also have more knowledge concerning Islam. If you don’t know much about Islam and you're thinking of marrying a Christian woman, what would you teach her?” he questioned.

According to him, the ultimate aim of such marriages should be to influence the woman to eventually embrace Islam positively.

He also indicated that many parents discourage their children from marrying non-Muslims due to concerns about the religious upbringing of future children.

“The man should be able to teach the woman more about Islam because the goal should be influencing her to join Islam. Women are beneath men and if the love she has for you is strong enough, she will naturally obey everything you say. Most Muslim men just consider the physical appearance.

“Some parents do not allow their children to marry non-Muslims because of fear. Some could get married and decide to keep their religions, but when they divorce, the women mostly take the children away,” he said.

He added that although many children from such unions bear Muslim names, circumstances sometimes lead them away from practising Islam.

“Most children bear Muslim names, but due to circumstances, they don’t practice Islam. That’s why parents insist their children should rather Muslims women so that no matter what happens, the children would still be Muslims,” he added.

FG/EB

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