Rights of a Christian Wife
Fatwa No: 82922

Question

I am married to Christian woman, I want to know her rights.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, know that the Muslim should not marry a woman from the People of the Book except under two conditions:
First, she should be a real Christian or Jew who believes in her religion, not a secular woman who does not believe in her religion; even if her parents are Christians or Jews that does not influence this ruling.

Second, she must be chaste, not committing Zina (fornication or adultery).

As for the rights of a Christian wife, some of them are the same as the rights of the Muslim wife but she has rights peculiar to her.

The Mahr (bridal gift), spending on her (according to the standard for women like her), providing her with accommodation, keeping good company with her, the Mahrams (unmarriageable men), the respect (not to harm her) and justice between her and any future wife, then these rights are common between her and the Muslim wife.

Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa