people of the Book are not to be included in the polytheists who are forbidden to marry according to view of the majority of scholars. It is like their consensus on this issue according to the aforementioned words of the author of AlMughni. However, it is more proper to abandon this marriage and marry the chaste Muslim women, for the reports of Amir AlMu'minin (Commander of the Believers) `Umar Ibn AlKhattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and his son `Abdullah and a group of the Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them). Apart from that, taking women from the people of the Book as spouses involves great dangers, especially these days when Islam has become so strange for people as well as the lack of the righteous scholars. People became so more tending to women and are obedient to them in everything except those whom Allah blessed with His Mercy. One fears that a wife from the people of the Book may detract her Muslim husband to her religion and manners.
Moreover, the children may be influenced by her. Allah is the One whose Help is sought. If it is said, "What is the wisdom behind deeming it allowable for Muslim men to get married to chaste women from the People of the Book and not allowing men from the People of the Book to get married to Muslim women?" The answer to this is that the Muslims believe in Allah (Exalted be He), His Messengers (peace be upon them), and what was revealed to His Messengers (peace be upon them). Consequently, they believe in Musa ibn `Imran (Moses) (peace be upon him) and `Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryum (peace be upon him). They believe in the Torah revealed to Moses and the Bible revealed to Jesus. Therefore, Allah permitted Muslim men to get married to them as a favor from Him to Muslims and to perfect His benevolence on them. The people of the Book do not believe in Muhammad (peace be upon him) and what was revealed to him, namely, the Glorious Qur'an. So Allah prohibits them to get married to Muslim women unless they believe in his Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Seal of Prophets and Messengers. When they believe in Muhammad, the Muslim women become allowed for them to get married to and they will have the rights and duties we have. Indeed, Allah (may He be Praised) is the Most Just Judge Who is aware of the affairs of His slaves and knows what makes them right. He is the AllWise in everything (may He be exalted and glorified). He is above all the falsehood of the disbelievers and the polytheists.
Another wisdom may be cited that women by nature are weak and obedient to their husbands. Therefore, if the Muslim women are made lawful to marry the people of the Book, their disbelieving husbands may lead them in most cases to adopt their religion. Therefore, Allah the AllWise ruled that this act is prohibited.