Crossing Cultural Lines: An Analysis of Muslim-Non-Muslim Interfaith Marriages in Islamic Discourse

Abstract

This scholarly paper will explore the various aspects of interfaith marriages of Muslims with non-Muslims from historical and theological perspectives within the Islamic context. As a result, this study seeks to explore how the institution of interfaith marriages has developed historically and the changes that characterize this change from the early periods of Islam. It will point out some of the key roles played by socio-political changes, alongside cultural norms, over the period of time. This also brings into account that Quranic injunctions and Hadiths, where Islamic scholars of different times put forward quite varied interpretations. It also discusses the possibility of these marriages and how later generations of Muslims have possibly understood them. This report will further examine the role that comparative religious studies can play in the impact of interfaith marriage on the larger societal issue of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue. Hence, the following paper will critically analyze and relate history with theology in order to understand the detail difference effects of a marriage between a Muslim and a non-Muslim.