God says
Do not marry women who ascribe divinity to anything beside God before they attain to [true] belief: for any believing bondwoman [of God] is certainly better than a women who ascribes divinity to aught beside God, even though she may please you greatly. And do not give your women in marriage to men who ascribe divinity to anything beside God before they attain to [true] belief: for any believing bondman [of God] is certainly better than a man who describes divinity to anything beside God, even though he may please you greatly. [Such as] these invite into the fire, whereas God invites into paradise and unto [the achievement of] forgiveness by His leave; and He makes clear His messages unto mankind, so that they might bear them in mind. -- Q.2:221
…. And [lawful to you are], in wedlock, chaste women from among those who believe [in this divine writ], and, in wedlock, chaste women from among those who have been vouchsafed revelation before your time -- provided that you give them their dowers,* taking them in honest wedlock, not in fornication, nor as secret love-companions**……Q.5:5
*In Islam dower is to be paid by man to the woman.
Demanding dowry from woman is absolutely un-Islamic, although in certain Muslim societies the sinful practice is unfortunately prevalent.
**Whereas Muslim men are allowed to marry women from among the followers of another revealed religion, Muslim women may not marry non-Muslims the reason being that Islam enjoins reverence of all the prophets, while the followers of other religions reject some of them – e.g., the Prophet Muhammad or, as is the case with Jews, both Muhammad and Jesus. Thus, while a non-Muslim woman who marries a Muslim can be sure that – despite all doctrinal differences – the prophets of her faith will be mentioned with utmost respect in her Muslim environment, a Muslim woman who would marry a non-Muslim would always be exposed to an abuse of him whom she regards as God’s Apostle.
[In the nature of things,] corrupt women are for corrupt men and corrupt men, for corrupt women – just as good women are for good men, and good men, for good women…. Q.24:26
Prophet said
“A woman is married for four things: for her property, or accomplishment, or beauty, or for her religion. Select one having religious temperament.” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
“When you are sought in marriage by a man with whom you are pleased for his religion and for his character, get yourself married to him” -- H: Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah,
