Question

Assalam o alaikum.. Is it allowed for sunni boys to marry a shia girl? If not, so on what basic and major beliefs should the girl be agree upon so that the nikkah is permissible?

Actually there are many differences between shia beliefs n sunni beliefs (and the fact is there are also many differences within other sunni sects as well) but the boy will InshAllah try to convert her to sunni after marriage but i want to ask that only for Nikkah what are the basic conditions(beliefs, Eemaan), on which a boy and a girl, both must agree upon so that the Nikkah(marriage) is according to islamic teachings. Waiting for reply with references(if any so kindly mention). This matter is not urgent but i hope for authentic and true answer for this.. Thanks a lot

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

At the outset, there are different types of Shi’as. It is thus incorrect to collect them all under one ruling. While that is the case, majority of Shi’as hold such beliefs which render them outside the fold of Islam. In brief, we can divide these shi’as in three types.

a. Those who are known to have views which contradict Shariah. Since their belief is known to be contrary to Shariah, they will be regarded as non-Muslims. Marriage with such non-Muslim Shias is not permissible. In order to marry these shias, they will have to openly denounce their corrupt beliefs and say Shahadah. However, since Taqiyyah (divine lie) is a part of their belief, which means according to their belief it is reward worthy to lie about their correct beliefs, it is very difficult to confirm whether their shahadah is honest and sincere. Hence, if it is known that such and such person has corrupt shia beliefs, the best course of action would be to disregard their claim and stay away from marrying into them.

b. They are known to have no contradictions with Ahl Sunnah Wal Jama’a, except that they may profess superiority of Sayiduna Ali radiallahu anhu over the rest of the Sahaba. Such a belief, although incorrect, is not sufficient to render someone a non-Muslim. Such Shi’as will be regarded as Fussaaq (open transgressors). Nikah with such Shias will be valid, however not advisable.

c. Those Shias whose beliefs are not known cannot be regarded as non-Muslims; neither can they be confirmed as Muslims. It would be highly irresponsible to marry into them without knowing their belief.

Marriage is not a trivial matter. It is a lifelong commitment. It is naive to think that different belief will not become a hindrance in a harmonious marriage. Hence we advise you to tread on this path with extreme caution.

For your extensive reading you may read the detail research on the beliefs of Shias by Mufti Ismail Moosa Saheb at : http://www.qafila.org/

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hameed al-Mahmudi
www.fatwa.ca

Concurred by,

Mufti Luqman Hansrot
www.fatwa.ca