Why Can Muslim Men Marry Christians But Muslim Women Cannot?
I understand the textual basis you mentioned and the structural argument regarding qawwam and family identity. However, I am still struggling with the underlying logic. In most Islamic rulings, there is usually a clear wisdom or moral reasoning that aligns with justice and balance. In this case, I find it difficult to understand the deeper rationale beyond simply stating that it is textually prohibited. Marriage is a worldly institution that primarily affects life in this world — companionship, emotional stability, raising children, mutual growth. It is not directly an act of worship in itself like salah or fasting. So I am trying to understand why this issue is treated with such asymmetry between men and women. If the concern is religious authority in the household, that assumption seems tied to a traditional structure where men always dominate decision-making. But today many marriages function differently, with shared responsibility and independent faith commitments. Not every relationship follows a model where the husband imposes belief or controls religious direction. So why is it assumed that a Muslim woman’s faith is automatically at risk, but a Muslim man’s faith is not? If the issue is protection of faith, shouldn’t the same concern apply both ways? Also, I am trying to understand something more fundamental: since when is being Muslim considered more essential in marriage than being morally upright, responsible, intellectually mature, and respectful? If a non-Muslim man possesses strong moral character and does not oppose Islam, why is shared label of belief treated as a stronger criterion than demonstrated moral integrity? I am not questioning the existence of the ruling. I am questioning the reasoning behind it. If Islam is built on justice, balance, and wisdom, then I want to understand the wisdom in this distinction more clearly.