All is not well with newlywed Aamir Khan and Gauri Spatt, the couple who got married two weeks ago, have been facing ire not just from netizens but also from religious groups and political parties.
As per reports, a fatwa has been issued by Maulana Ibrahim Hussain, the Shahi Chief Mufti of the Muslim Personal Darul Ifta, over Aamir Khan's third marriage to Gauri Spratt. The cleric said that, according to Islamic teachings, marrying a non-Muslim woman is not permissible under Sharia.
The fatwa comes after Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt solemnised their marriage under the Special Marriage Act at the actor's Mumbai home in the presence of close friends and family. Aamir, 61, married Gauri, 47, on July 5.
Speaking to ABP News, Hussain said that anyone who marries a non-Muslim woman should repent before Allah.
"Actor Aamir Khan has married for the third time. There is opposition to it as well. Some Muslim brothers are also protesting against it. Just yesterday, a non-Muslim brother asked me whether such a marriage is permissible in Islam and under Sharia. Can a Muslim man, a man of faith, marry a non-Muslim woman or not? What kind of act is this?" he said.
"Marrying a non-Muslim woman is against Sharia, and it tarnishes the name of Islam," he added.
Hussain further said that he issued a fatwa-e-aam based on the teachings of the Quran. According to him, the Quran permits a Muslim man to marry only a Muslim woman or a woman who is a believer. He said that if a Muslim man marries a non-believing or polytheist woman, such a marriage is not permissible under Sharia unless she embraces the faith.
Calling it a "sin", the Shahi Chief Mufti said, "This is an unlawful (haram) act, and a person who does so is committing a sin. Such a person should repent before Allah and turn away from this sin."
He said he issued the public fatwa to clarify the position of Sharia, arguing that people across the world often judge Islam by the actions of Muslims.
"Even non-Muslims judge Islam based on what Muslims do and believe that whatever Muslims practice is Allah's command, the command of Sharia, and the way of the Prophet. When someone commits a wrongful act, it sends the wrong message, and Islam and Sharia become the direct targets. Allah's command itself comes under scrutiny," he said.
The Maulana added that, under Sharia, a Muslim who marries a non-Muslim woman is considered to have committed a sin. He also said such actions harm the image of Islam and Sharia and appealed to Muslims to follow their religious teachings and avoid acts that could create misunderstandings and negatively impact society.
