I know about a Muslim girl who wants to marry a Christian, who has ‎‎deceived her and ‎told her that there is no part of the Holy Quran that clearly ‎‎states that Muslim women ‎can not marry Christians, but only says ‎‎not to marry Mushrikeen (Kuffar). He ‎says that Christians are not ‎‎Mushrikeen (Kuffar) because Mohammed (PBUH) married ‎Maria Al ‎‎Qibtiyyah. Is there anything I can do, say, or explain that defies this ‎‎‎Christian's allegations? ‎

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

It is incumbent upon every Muslim, male or female, to seek religious knowledge, and ask the scholars before undertaking any behavior whether a saying or an action. Allah says: "So ask of those who know the Scripture if you know not." (An-Nahl 16:43)

It is known that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry Kafir (non-Muslim) whether he is from the people of the Book or not. Allah says:" And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikûn till they believe (in Allâh Alone)" (Al-Baqarah 2:221)

The evidence that the people of the book: Christian and Jews are Kafir (non-Muslims is the saying of Allah: " Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and among Al-Mushrikûn, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence."(Al-Baiyinah 98:1)

And Allah says about the Christians in particular: "Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allâh is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary)." (Al-Ma'idah 5:17)

 However, it is permissible for a Muslim man to marry a woman of the people of the book; Allah says :"( 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 your time." (Al-Ma'idah 5:5)

The wisdom about differentiating between the two rulings is clear. It is the husband who takes care of the wife, and it is forbidden for a Kafir to be a guardian of a Muslim woman, because Islam should be dominating, not dominated. It may be that she will be influenced by him, and consequently will become a Kafir like him.

The matter is completely different in relation to a Muslim husband with his wife of the people of book.

Therefore, one has to advise this girl and remind her that if she accepts to marry this man, she will indeed commit a great sin. Because she is not considered as a wife for him, but is considered as committing Zina (fornication) with him, as this is not marriage and she has to leave him.

The prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) took pleasure from Maria Al Qibtiyyah because she was his slave whom his right hand possessed, and she was not one of his wives. She later embraced Islam.

It is worth noting as well that it is not permissible for a Muslim, if he is not grounded in knowledge to debate with the people of falsehood, as this could cause a tribulation. But he/she can seek the help of the people of knowledge in that country to debate with them and reveal their falsehood.

Allah knows best.