Shia religious authorities consider belief in Bahá'íism as disbelief (kufr) and regard Bahá'ís as impure (najis). They warn against any interaction with them. According to them, Bahá'ís are enemies of religion and faith, and they are considered as infidels and combatants. Marriage with them is prohibited and invalid.
What is the legal ruling on the marriage of Muslims with Bahá'ís?
Marriage in Islam is considered an act of worship, and every individual is encouraged to engage in it. Islam has extensively outlined laws regarding marriage wherever necessary. The marriage of a Muslim man with a non-Muslim woman is one of the issues addressed by Islamic law. We know that the objectives of Islamic "dos" and "don'ts" are clearly defined, and this topic is no exception. Islam emphasizes marriage between a Muslim man and a Muslim woman. However, driven by human emotions or the well-being of a Muslim man, it is possible for him to wish to marry a non-Muslim woman. Islamic law provides the following guidance: A Muslim man is not permitted to marry any woman from the polytheists under any circumstance. In general, marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims is prohibited, but there are specific conditions regarding the marriage of a Muslim man with a non-Muslim woman. According to Islamic jurisprudence, if the woman is from the "People of the Book" (Jews or Christians), there is no prohibition on a temporary marriage. According to the majority of scholars and authorities, all followers of the Bahá'í sect are considered impure (najis), and if they come into contact with anything, it is necessary to observe purification laws in relation to them for matters that require purity.
The marriage of a Bahá'í, since the core teaching of the Bahá'í faith is the unity of the human world (unity in diversity), aims at unity, real love, and comprehensive union—physical, human, and spiritual—between husband and wife. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Look at the family from which you are getting your child, as the ethics and characteristics of each family remain in their offspring, and their moral deviations will affect their children."
🤵🏻👰🏻Marriage and the Rulings on Marriage with Bahá'ís According to Religious Authorities:
Can a Muslim man marry a Bahá'í girl according to the sacred Islamic laws of marriage? Can a Muslim girl marry a Bahá'í man according to Islamic law through the Islamic marriage contract (Nikah) by an authorized Islamic scholar?
Response from Ayatollah Khomeini: In the name of Allah, the marriage of a Bahá'í man with a Muslim woman and vice versa, as well as the marriage of a Muslim man with a Bahá'í woman, is not permissible and is invalid.
Question: If a Muslim young man marries a Bahá'í girl, and they have both a Bahá'í and an Islamic marriage contract, but the young man does not believe in the Bahá'í marriage contract and the girl does not believe in the Islamic marriage contract, what is the status of this marriage? And what happens to the children of this marriage?
Response: In the name of Allah, the marriage contract is invalid, and if the children are ignorant of the situation, they are considered lawful and are counted among Muslims.
Question: Is temporary marriage with a Bahá'í girl permissible?
Response from all religious authorities: No, both permanent and temporary marriage with Bahá'ís is not permissible.
Note: The Bahá'í sect is considered to be a false faith, and marriage with an infidel—whether permanent or temporary—is invalid.
Question: What if a Muslim man insists on marrying a Bahá'í girl? What is the ruling?
👳🏻♂️Response from Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: Marriage with members of the false sect is not permissible unless they convert to Islam.
Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, also responded to an inquiry about the Bahá'ís, saying:
All followers of the misguided Bahá'í sect are considered impure, and when they come into contact with something, purification laws must be observed regarding them for matters that require purity. However, the behavior of managers, teachers, and mentors with Bahá'í students should be based on legal and Islamic ethical standards. The Supreme Leader also stated in response to a question about the duty of believers regarding the Bahá'í sect and its presence in the Islamic community: All believers must confront the falsehoods and misdeeds of the Bahá'í sect and prevent others from joining it.
👳🏻♂️Ayatollah Fadhil Lankarani's view on marriage with Bahá'ís:
Bahá'ís are impure, and marriage with them is not permissible. However, dealing with them is not inherently prohibited unless it results in harmful consequences or strengthens their position.
👳🏻♂️Ayatollah Safi Golpaygani's view on marriage with Bahá'ís:
Bahá'ís are impure, and dealing with them is also problematic.
👳🏻♂️Ayatollah Safi Golpaygani's response to inquiries about the Bahá'í sect:
The Bahá'í sect has no religion, is misguided, and is considered infidel and impure. Marriage with them is prohibited. Additionally, promoting and propagating their beliefs is also prohibited. Believers should defend the true beliefs of Shia Islam and protect themselves from the deceitful schemes of the enemies, preventing their activities and propagation.
👳🏻♂️Ayatollah Bejat's response to questions about interacting with Bahá'í followers:
They are impure, and one should avoid interacting with them.
