What is the Islamic ruling regarding a father in case his children from a Christian wife become Christian? Is it Shirk?

· 1 Rabiʻ II 1422 AH1 min readFatwa 3311English
Misc. Fiqh

Question

Christians do not recognize the Islam (Prophet Mohamed "Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam" and the Quraan). Meanwhile muslim do recognize the Christianity (Isaa "Alahis Salam" and the Bible) and the Judaism (Mossa "Alayhis Salam" and the Torah).

Answer

Allah Ta'ala says, 'Verily the (accepted) religion by Allah is Islam.' In another verse, Allah Ta'ala says, 'And whosoever searches for a religion besides Islam, it will not be accepted from him.'

In view of the above, it is clear that Islam does not recognise as presently accepted religions, any other religion, including Christianity and Judaism. They (Christianity and Judaism) were accepted religions of the past. All the past accepted religions have been permanently replaced by Islam.

Shari'ah has granted a Muslim male to marry a Christian or Jewish female in order to prevail over her and convert her to Islam. The children in such a marriage will be subordinate of the father, not the mother. If the children did not learn and follow Islam, that is the weakness of the father. If he was negligent in their upbringing, then he will be sinful for his children becoming Christians. It is precisely for such unforeseen but possible circumstances, Shari'ah discourages marriage to a Christian or Jewish female. In today's time of weakness in Imaan, very few Muslim men are able to prevail over their Christian and Jewish wives.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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