Section 8.1: I’m in a Christian-Muslim Relationship in the States

Section 8.1: I’m in a Christian-Muslim Relationship in the States

Jennifer says:

I am in a Christian-Muslim relationship here in the United States of America. I care so much about him. I’m giving it my all to learn about Islam, and try to understand why he feels certain ways about things. Thank you Azad for that story it meant so much to me! It gives me hope! —Jennifer

Admin says:

Hi Jennifer,

First find out who you are. Are you a “proud” Christian or just a “born” Christian? How much do your childhood Christian teachings mean to you? How much do you care for your Christian heritage?

The Azad example gave you “hope!” Does it mean you are looking for an interfaith relationship with equality?

Instead of assuming anything, why don’t you two sit down and answer a few questions? Islam has very strict requirements for marriage. Most Muslims will expect an intended spouse to:

1) Convert to Islam by taking shahadah oaths before marriage (nikaah)

– are you okay with having an irreversible conversion from Christianity to Islam?

2) Be given a Muslim name.

– are you okay if you are given a new Arabic name?

3) Give the children Arabic names only.

– is that okay?

4) Have the children submit to sunat/khanna (religious circumcision) and raised in the Islamic faith. This means no Jesus (as the Son of Allah), no baptism, no praying to Virgin Mary and no Sunday church visits.

– is that okay?

5) Not display a picture of the Lord Jesus or a cross in your living room.

– is that okay?

6) Only marry via nikaah, without performing another Christian marriage ceremony.

– do you want a church wedding?

If you both have true “love” instead of “love for man-made rituals,” we propose a civil wedding (like Azad did). Let’s hope you and your intended spouse are open-minded enough to follow through on your interfaith marriage and all that entails.

Now let’s look at a deeper issue…

WHOSE GOD WINS?

Christians generally believe Lord Jesus is the Son of God and that faith in Jesus is the only way to achieve salvation. Contrary to that, the Koran teaches to have faith in Allah (God) and that Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than God’s apostle (Koran 4:171). Allah forbids that He Himself should beget a son! (Koran 19:34) Further, those who say: “the Lord of Mercy has begotten a son” preach a monstrous falsehood (Koran 19:88). Unbelievers are those that say: “God is the Messiah, the son of Mary” (Koran 5:70) and “God is one of three.” (Koran 5:72) Unbelievers will get Hell Fire. Further, Allah said “Believers, take neither Jews nor the Christians for your friends.” (Koran 5:51)

Which God will rule in your intended married life?

1) Will you be glorifying for most times Jesus or Mohammad? Would Lord Jesus Christ be the Son of God or just an apostle?

2) Will your children have sunat/khatna or baptism?

3) Are Allah, Jesus, God the Father, or all three, going to come on the Judgment Day?

You must decide on only one of two options in these questions above. There is nothing like “both” or a middle ground that includes sunat & baptism! If you decide “none” for these questions, on the Day of Judgment both Gods will be unhappy and you and your spouse will “not achieve salvation” from Jesus and on top of that will get “Hell of Fire” from Allah.

Tackle the inter-faith problems directly; don’t sweep them under the rug. Don’t assume that you will resolve differences sometime after you get married. Pre-marital problems generally grow into “Hindenburg class disasters” after marriage.

Does all of this make any sense? —Admin

Jennifer Replied:

Thank you for this. This is what I was looking for. I wanted more and a direction to follow things. I’m religious, I believe in God and Jesus, but I’m lacking in strong conviction. My boyfriend is pushing me to learn more, and he is there when I have questions. He was thrilled when I took upon myself to learn more. We haven’t gotten to the bigger issues yet, but we will.

My mother is a devout Christian and my father was a Wiccan. So yes, I grew up in a household of two religions and I’m very open-minded. If and when the time comes for these decisions to be made, they will be made. If it means that much to him I have no problem for our children to be raised that way.

We are both divorced. I have a child already, he does not. So this is a new learning experience for the both of us. My only thing is, right now I have no feeling to convert and he understands and has never asked me of this. I don’t think he ever will, but we will see.

Thank you (Admin) for this above. It means a great deal to me. —Jennifer