Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD

Qur’an Forbids Marriage with Polytheists (For Both Men and Women)

The Qur’an is explicit that Muslims – whether male or female – must not marry polytheists (idolaters who associate others with God). In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says: “Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters) until they believe… nor marry (your women) to unbelievers until they believe” orbala.wordpress.com. This verse (Q.2:221) addresses both scenarios: a Muslim man with an idolatrous woman, and a Muslim woman with an idolatrous man. The prohibition is equal and emphatic – a shared faith in One God is a non-negotiable foundation for marriage in Islam. As the verse explains, a disbelieving spouse “beckons you to the Fire”, whereas a believer calls one toward Paradise orbala.wordpress.com. In other words, marrying a polytheist poses a grave danger to one’s faith and ultimate welfare.

Another key passage, Surah Al-Mumtahanah (Q.60:10), was revealed in the context of the early Muslim community and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. It commanded that if women emigrated to the Muslim side professing faith, they were not to be returned to their pagan husbands. The Qur’an states that believing women are “not lawful (wives) for the unbelievers, nor are the unbelievers lawful (husbands) for them” orbala.wordpress.com. Any existing marriage between a Muslim and a polytheist had to be nullified, underscoring that no marital bond can continue between a believer and a mushrik (idolater) under Islamic law. Likewise, the verse instructed Muslim men who had unbelieving wives to “hold not to the ties of marriage with disbelieving women”, meaning a Muslim man, if he embraced Islam, could not remain married to a polytheistic wife orbala.wordpress.com. This again reinforces that faith comes first, and the prohibition against marrying those who reject Islam applies equally to both genders.

Note: In the Qur’anic terminology, “polytheists” or al-mushrikīn refers specifically to idol-worshippers and those without a monotheistic scripture. Classical exegetes clarify that this term does not include Jews and Christians, who are instead termed “People of the Book” (Ahl al-Kitāb) quran.com. Thus, verses like 2:221 were understood from the earliest times as barring marriage with idolatrous pagans – not with Jewish or Christian individuals. The Qur’an itself makes this distinction by later giving a specific allowance for marrying from the People of the Book (as we will see), indicating that they are a separate category from the “polytheists” who are categorically forbidden orbala.wordpress.com. The strict ban was aimed at those who have no devotion to the One God at all, since such a person could seriously undermine the faith of a Muslim spouse.

In the same chapter that addresses the believing women who left their pagan husbands (Surah Mumtahanah), Allah further reminds the believers: “O you who believe! Do not ally yourselves with a people Allah is displeased with. They have no hope for the Hereafter…” quran.com. This admonition (Q.60:13) captures the spirit behind the marriage prohibition with idolaters: a Muslim should not form intimate alliances – and what alliance is closer than marriage – with those obstinately bent on disbelief in God and the Hereafter. Such close friendship or familial bond with a staunch unbeliever could weaken one’s commitment to faith. In short, the Qur’an’s red line in marriage is clear: a Muslim cannot marry someone who worships idols or rejects the core tenets of faith, because marriage is more than a civil contract – it is a lifelong spiritual partnership.

Read further in Microsoft Word file: