Answer:
No, a believing woman is not permitted nor allowed to marry a disbeliever.
Allah, the Exalted has clearly and categorically prohibited this in the Qur'an. The Prophet (ﷺ) also prohibited it, and this issue is a matter of unanimous agreement among scholars.
There is no difference of opinion on this matter—it is a consensus that a believing woman cannot marry a disbelieving man.
I will mention the scholars who have transmitted this consensus.
Allah, the Exalted says in the Qur'an:
"And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even if he pleases you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may remember." (Quran 2:221)
Allah is clearly and categorically stating that until disbelievers surrender to Allah and submit to His religion, do not marry your daughters, sisters, or women to them.
Until when?
"Until they believe."
Allah then goes on to say,
"And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even if he pleases you."
No matter how much a disbeliever may fascinate you—whether through his character, personality, charisma, humor, appearance, or physique—Allah emphasizes that a believer is always better.
Allah further warns:
"Those [disbelievers] invite you to the Fire, but Allah invites you to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission."
Those who advocate that a believing woman can marry a disbeliever are calling you to the Hellfire. They are calling you to destruction. In contrast, Allah is calling you to Paradise and His forgiveness. He wants to expiate your sins, elevate your status, and grant you a high position in Paradise.
Allah then says:
"And He makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may remember."
He clarifies His verses so that people may reflect and take heed.
In another verse, Allah says:
"Then if you ascertain that they are true believers, do not send them back to the disbelievers. They are not lawful [wives] for them, nor are they lawful [husbands] for them." (Quran 60:10)
Allah is addressing the Prophet (ﷺ) in this verse, referring to women who migrated to Medina. If it becomes clear that these women are believers, the Prophet is commanded not to return them to their disbelieving husbands.
Why?
Because a believing woman cannot remain in a relationship with a disbeliever.
Such a relationship is not a marriage—it is fornication (Zina), which is haram (forbidden).
This ruling is supported by a consensus transmitted by several scholars, including Ibn Qudamah, Ibn Abdul Barr, Imam Al-Shawkani, and Ibn Al-Mundir.
There is no difference of opinion on this issue.
The verses of the Qur'an are clear and decisive.
Allah also says:
"And Allah has not made for the disbelievers over the believers any authority." (Quran 4:141)
A disbelieving man cannot have authority over a believing woman.
In a marriage, the man is the head of the relationship, just as a country requires a leader. If a believing woman marries a disbeliever, she would be under the authority of a disbeliever.
Moreover, she would bear children for a disbeliever, thereby increasing the number of disbelievers. Islam does not permit this.
The Prophet (ﷺ) himself demonstrated this ruling in the case of his daughter, Zaynab (رضي الله عنها). She was married to Abul Asim al-Rabi', a disbeliever.
After the Battle of Badr, the Prophet (ﷺ) took Abul Asim as a captive and demanded that he return Zaynab to him as a condition for his release. Abul Asim agreed and returned Zaynab to her father.
Later, Abul Asim embraced Islam, and the Prophet (ﷺ) returned Zaynab to him as his wife, as they were now both believers.
After hearing the Qur'anic discourse, the actions of the Prophet (ﷺ), and the consensus of the scholars, what choice remains for us? Allah says:
"It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error." (Quran 33:36)
When Allah and His Messenger have passed a law or given a verdict, we have no choice but to submit. Believers, when called to Allah's judgment, respond:
"We hear and we obey." (Quran 24:51)
They do not question Allah's verdicts or place their desires above the commands of Allah and His Messenger.
There is no path to success, prosperity, harmony, tranquility, or joy except through the laws of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ).
Allah created us and knows what is best for us—our bodies, minds, and souls. He knows what brings happiness and removes grief and sorrow.
How can we question His judgments when He is the One who created us, governs us, and controls our affairs?
Just as He did not consult us in creating us, He does not need to consult us in His laws and verdicts.
Brothers and sisters, submit to the commands of your Lord, the Exalted.
Anything I have said that is incorrect is from me and Shaytan, and Allah and His Messenger are free from it.
— Answered by Ustadh Abdulrahman Hassan
