Inter-Marriages

Regarding marriage to a non-muslim woman.

I am posting something from the book 'The Life of Muhammad'(pbuH) by Tahia Al-Ismail. page 230)

The marriage of Muhammad(pbuH) to Safiyya, a Jewess, then Maria, a copt, has tremendous importance in the history of Islam. It taught the muslims to be tolerant. If the Messenger of Allah himself had married once a Jewess and once a Christian, then all Jews and and all Christians were to be treated cordially as his in-laws. It wiped out bigotry and fanaticism from the muslim community once and for all...  The Qur'an decrees that there shall be no coercion in religion, and Muhammad(pbuH) taught it by these two unforgettable unions.

(page 231) If anyone should develop religious zeal against Christians and Jews,one could always point to the Messenger's being married, once to a Christian and once to a Jewess, and his memorable words in consequence, 'He who insults one of the people of the Book has insulted me'

Actually this book contains much to understand Islam in a simplistic way. Well worth a read.

Ruzhan,

There is only one argument that I can make for question 1.

The Quran was revealed during the 7th Century.  That means that the Christians of the Time of Muhammed (pbuh) were already steeped in the heresies of the Trinity. 

The Christians of the time of the Revelations of the Quran are the Christians of Today.  As I was raised in the Russian Orthodox Church, I can tell you that the Christians of the Arabian Peninsula were Chaldean, Coptic and other Old Orders.  They taught the Trinity, though they may have varied opinions on the exact nature of the Trinity. They taught Jesus to be the Son of God. 

The Trinity was established into Canonical Law in 325AD.  That's 300 years before the Quran.  One would argue from a purist point of view, if the Christians and Jews hadn't already strayed, there would have been no need for Muhammed (pbuh). 

As someone who comes from a Restorationist sect of Christianity, I have no problem pointing out that Christianity was already on the down slope by 600AD.

So, for Question 1.  If Christians are permissible by the Quran, its the same Christians as today.

poga, care to share what exactly is the 'race of jinn'? or what individuals make up this race?

 

 Ruzhan, you have been given the correct report by Seekshidayath from the Quran and Sunnah as you had aksed for. The references are also there. That is the correct report / reply.

 It is permissible to marry the chaste ladies from the christians (Verse 5:5). It is necessary to marry them and not to keep them as girl friends or concubines. That is a permission from Allah.

 There are social problems to look after. The marriage may last for a long time or it may suffer hardship. It depends on the intentions. When children will be born and grow up, they will not know which way to go. They may be lost in doubts by travelling in two boats at the same time. But these things have nothing to do with your question. Your question has been answered, I hope.