What Islam says on marrying from another religion

By VISION REPORTER

Marriage or wedlock is a social union between spouses that establish rights and obligations between them and their children.

The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged.

When defined broadly, marriage is considered as culturally universal. In many cultures, marriage is formalised by a traditional marriage or religious wedding.

Sheikh Nsereko Mutumba, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council public relations officer, says before a Muslim thinks of marrying, he or she has to ensure that the partnerto- be is a Muslim.

“There is no provision for a Muslim man to convert to his fiancee’s religion. It is the woman who must convert to Islam,” he said. Mutumba added that because Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol, it is unacceptable for a Muslim to marry a woman from a religion that allows consumption of those items.

The head of the Ahmadiyya Mission in Uganda, Rauf Amir, says Islam teaches Muslims to get married to fellow Muslims.

“We should follow what our religion says. Under Islamic law, a marriage can only be considered Halal (pure) if both spouses are Muslims,” he said.

Sheikh Suleiman Kaketo, who heads the Tabliqs, shares the same view. “If a Muslim man wants to get married to a non-Muslim woman, he must convert her to Islam. It is the only way Allah will accept their marriage,” he explained.