Originally, it is permitted for a Muslim man to marry a woman from among the People of the Book. However, it is totally prohibited for a Muslim man to marry an atheist or a Hindu woman etc.. In addition, it is totally prohibited for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim whether he is one of the People of the Book (i.e. Jew or Christian) or a Sikh or a Hindu. Muslim scholars state that if a woman insists on doing so, then she is religiously considered committing a heinous sin and her relationship in such a case is no more than Zina.
Muslim scholars unanimously agree that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to get married to a non-Muslim and doing so is a grave sin. Deeming this marriage as lawful by the woman is so serious that it can put her outside the pale of Islam. Rather, if she does so out of her ignorance of the ruling or without deeming it permissible, then still she is committing a very grave sin.
In this regard, Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi, Imam of Calgary Mosque, Canada, and Former Professor at King Saud Univ., Saudi Arabia, states: “Now let me quote two verses from the Qur’an concerning the Islamic ruling of a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim man. The first verse is mentioned in Surat Al-Baqarah, verse 221, where Allah, the Almighty, says:
“And do not give (believing women) in marriage to idolaters until they believe, and certainly a believing servant is better than an idolater, even though he should please you.”
The second verse is no. 10 in Surat Al-Mumtahinah, where Allah, the Almighty, says:
“O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them.”
In the light of the foregoing verses and according to the practice of Muslims, it is absolutely Haram (forbidden) for a Muslim woman to get married to a non-Muslim man. This is one of the basics of Islam, and any woman is not supposed to violate the ruling whatever the case maybe.
Moreover, Sheikh Hamed Al-Ali, instructor of Islamic Heritage at the Faculty of Education, Kuwait and Imam of Dahiat As-Sabahiyya Mosque, confirms:
“If a Muslim woman gets married to a non-Muslim, she will be committing a huge sin and will even be regarded as an adulteress. If she considers it Halal for her to stay in this marriage, denies the prohibition established by the Shari`ah in explicit and unequivocal words, and finds nothing wrong Islamically in keeping up this marriage, then she would be considered a Kafir (disbeliever) in this case.”
Finally, the late prominent scholar Sheikh Mustafa Az-Zarqa, may Allah bless his soul, points out:
“As for the marriage of a Muslim woman to a non-Muslim man, there is no way to justify it. It has been categorically forbidden by the Qur’an: “And do not give (believing women) in marriage to idolaters until they believe.”
“O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them.”
All Muslim jurists have unanimously agreed that this kind of marriage is forbidden.
Based on what is mentioned above, we call upon all Muslim sisters to fear Allah and to avoid getting married to non-Muslim men. In addition, it is the responsibility of parents and religious leaders in majority non-Muslim countries to educate the younger generation about such basic rulings in Islam. Above all, Muslim woman’s marriage to a Sikh is a forbidden act, a heinous sin, and if the woman insists on keeping marriage with him, then she is considered to be living in sin.