Question
Regarding the last point (4), are you telling us that when in verse 5 of Al-Maedah (Chapter 5), Allah (swt) permits a Muslim man to marry a Christian woman then He does not expect that Muslim man to raise his children as Muslims? Rather, He would want him to give “them the proper foundation that will help them discover their Maker on their own.”
Are you telling all Muslims to not raise their children as Muslims because “there is much more to the person who finds the truth because of a genuine search versus the one who simply goes about life because he/she was led into a belief without ever pouring any part of themselves in that search.”?
On a similar note, if it is not the responsibility of the father (and the mother) to try to raise his children as Muslims or at least make sure that they get the best opportunity to be one then what is the meaning of the sixth verse of At-Tahrim.
Should I not understand then that When a man is not sure of the possibility of raising his children as a Muslim in a mixed-religion marriage then the better answer seems to be not getting into that marriage at all.
Lastly, what would be the reason then that Allah (swt) has permitted Muslim men to marry women from the People of the Book, but not the other way round in verse 5 of Al-Maedah?
I apologize if I have raised this question without properly understanding your original answer.
Wassalaam
Answer
You ask:
Regarding the last point (4), are you telling us that when in verse 5 of Al-Maedah (Chapter 5), Allah (swt) permits a Muslim man to marry a Christian woman then He does not expect that Muslim man to raise his children as Muslims? Rather, He would want him to give “them the proper foundation that will help them discover their Maker on their own.”
No, you have misunderstood. Al Ma’idah 5:5 has nothing to do with raising children. My comments were not tied into the verses of the Qur’an.
You ask:
Are you telling all Muslims to not raise their children as Muslims because “there is much more to the person who finds the truth because of a genuine search versus the one who simply goes about life because he/she was led into a belief without ever pouring any part of themselves in that search.”?
Again, no, you have misunderstood. There is nothing written that mentions the words “do not raise your children…” In fact, my point was to give children a sturdy foundation upon which they build their relationship with the Almighty as they become spiritually mature. Raising children to believe in something just because the parents believe in it is quite different than raising children with the proper guidance and support to help them – when they are ready – connect with the Divine. I advocate the latter concept.
You ask:
On a similar note, if it is not the responsibility of the father (and the mother) to try to raise his children as Muslims or at least make sure that they get the best opportunity to be one then what is the meaning of the sixth verse of At-Tahrim.
This is borne out of the misunderstanding of what I have written. Of course it is the responsibility of a mother and father to raise their children as they see fit in accordance to their beliefs. After all, what would a parent be if they deprived their own children of the truth to which they adhere? Verse six of Al Tahreem urges us to protect our households from the horrors of Hell; not merely by raising children as Muslims but giving them the tools and proper knowledge to engage the religion and steer themselves away from sin. It is this fundamental point that needs to be considered deeply: we are not saved because we are Muslims; we are saved because of our active relationship with the Almighty in adhering to His commands.
You ask:
Lastly, what would be the reason then that Allah (swt) has permitted Muslim men to marry women from the People of the Book, but not the other way round in verse 5 of Al-Maedah?
Al Ma’idah 5:5 makes no mention of a prohibition for Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men. For more on this please read: Muslim Woman Marrying a non-Muslim Man
I hope this helps.
God knows best.