Marrying non-Muslim Women

Question:

What is your advice concerning some Muslim minorities marrying disbelieving women who do not believe in the existence of a Creator and what is the effect of that upon the children?
Response:

My advice to all Muslims is that they should not marry anyone who is not a Muslim. A Muslim man should do his utmost to marry a Muslim woman because that will be good for him, both in the life of this world and in the Hereafter and good for his children as well. With regards to marrying kuffaar, if they are not from the People of the Book, the Jews and Christians, then, according to clear text and consensus of the scholars, it is forbidden.

According to a consensus of the scholars, it is not permitted for a Muslim to marry Buddhists, communists, atheists and so forth. Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says:

{And do not marry idolatresses until they believe.} [Soorah al-Baqarah, Aayah 221]
Concerning the Settlement of Hudaybiyah, Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) ordered that the believing women, who came seeking emigration to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alaihe wa sallam) should not be returned to their disbelieving husbands. He (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says:

{They are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them.} [Soorah al-Mumtahinah, Aayah 10]
It is, therefore, not permitted for a Muslim to ever marry a kaafir woman unless she is from the People of the Book and they are the Jews and Christians o­nly. They are considered the People of the Book if they have remained upon the teachings of their Book. However, if they have become communists or deny the existence of a Creator, they are no longer People of the Book, but rather they have become atheists.

If, however, they are from the People of the Book, adhere to the teachings of Christianity or Judaism and believe in Allaah and the Resurrection, then they can be married. This is provided that they are known to be chaste and it is known that they do not commit adultery or fornication. Allaah has made lawful for us chaste women from the People of the Book. He (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says:

{All good things are made lawful for you this day. The food of the People of the Book is lawful to you and your food is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before you, provided that you give them their dowries and live in honour with them, neither committing fornication nor taking them as mistresses... } [Soorah al-Maa'idah, Aayah 5]
Allaah has made lawful for Muslims chaste and virtuous women who are free and not slaves. There is no harm, therefore, in marrying women from the People of the Book, if the need arises. However, to refrain from doing so and to marry Muslim women is preferable and advisable, especially nowadays.
The risk involved in marrying them these days is greater because they have control and power over husbands and might, therefore, lead their husbands or their children to kufr in Allaah. My advice to all my brothers everywhere is, that they should not marry non-Muslim women and that they should be aware of the risks and end result of doing so. Rather, they should do their utmost to marry Muslim women and to educate and guide them to what is good. This is safer, especially at this time when evil and wickedness has increased. The kuffaar have today gained the upper hand over the Muslims, and women in the countries of the kuffaar have power and authority and dominate their Muslim husbands and try to attract them and their children to their false religion.
And there is no power, no strength except with Allaah!
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
al-Aqalliyaat al-Muslimah - Page 29, Fatwa No.5