(Part No. 18; Page No. 323)  Fatwa no. 16324 We hope that devoted scholars, the heirs of prophets, will tell us about the conditions of the validity of a marriage contract between a Muslim man and a Christian woman in the West, especially where we live, i.e. North America, Canada. Please, take into consideration some facts that turned into concepts widely acknowledged as essential and indispensable society customs and beliefs. Such are considered main pillars for contracting marriage between a male and a female. All these things are encouraged by Christian clergy men, fathers and relatives. Below are such things: 1. The marriage contract has to be preceded by at least one year as an experimental stage during which a woman co-lives with a man. 2. The marriage contract has to be preceded by sexual intercourse which is an experimental stage longer than the first. 3. The marriage contract has to be preceded by an experimental stage during which a male and a female test each other's ability to forgive the mistakes of each other and to overlook previous sexual relations.If such conditions are met, both parties decide that they are suitable for each other as spouses. Otherwise, they do not. (Part No. 18; Page No. 324) It should be noted that it is shameful for a Christian woman and man: 1. To remain virgin after being 15 years old, 2. To remain without a boyfriend to make love to each other, 3. To live at her parent's house after reaching maturity (18 years old), 4. To be responsible for her sexual and social faults before her friend (i.e. she is completely and unobjectionably free), and 5. To live alone without a boyfriend in her new house. In fact, this is encouraged by family and clergy men. Moreover, males are not less in committing such mistakes than females.Most importantly, both males and females boast among their peers about how many friends they have had sex with and how many sexual experiences they have had.Given this, is it permissible for Muslim men to marry such Christian girls?

(Part No. 18; Page No. 325)  A: First: It is permissible for a Muslim to marry Jewish or Christian women if they are chaste and free (i.e. not a slave). Second: If it is true that there are five fundamentals that have to be acted upon by one who wishes to marry a Christian woman in North America (Canada), such five fundamentals mentioned above in the question symbolize Khulwah (staying in private with a marriageable member of the opposite sex), sexual intercourse, having friends, fornication and boasting thereof. All such things are prohibited and their prohibition is intuitively known to be an Islamic ruling. Moreover, a Muslim who boasts about such prohibited acts and deems them permissible is a disbelieving Murtad (apostate). Actually, it is impermissible for a Muslim to fornicate or follow any means leading to fornication such as staying in private with a marriageable woman. Therefore, it is impermissible for a Muslim to marry a Christian woman whose marriage is preceded by such five fundamentals or anything thereof. Moreover, concluding or witnessing such a marriage is impermissible. Furthermore, whoever does any of these things is sinful for conducting something prohibited by the Shari`ah (Islamic law). In addition, whoever marries such a woman will have to divorce her. How can a Muslim feel comfortable marrying a prostitute! Besides, if such a person insists on not breaking such a marriage bond, he will be considered cuckold as he approves of his wives faults and because of the difference between purity and impurity, (Part No. 18; Page No. 326) good and bad, lawful sexual intercourse and unlawful one. We advise all Muslims who know about this Fatwa to control themselves and have high moral standard not to be motivated by lustful desires of disbelievers to indulge in a prohibited marital life which leads to absolute failure and endless problems. In fact, a lawful marriage can replace such an unlawful one and the original position is that a Muslim man marries a Muslim woman. Accordingly, a Muslim has to fear Allah regarding himself, his progeny and family. He also has to fill his heart with sympathy towards Muslims. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.