Is it permissible for a Muslim man to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, by analogy with the marriage of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to Maria al-Qibtiyya?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not marry Maria the Copt because she was his concubine (slave woman), and it is permissible to enjoy a concubine even if she is not Muslim because she is a 'milk yamin' (what the right hand possesses). As for marriage to a Christian or Jewish woman (a woman of the People of the Book), it is permissible according to the text of the Quran, and some Companions did indeed do so. However, despite its permissibility, it is not preferable for a Muslim to marry a woman of the People of the Book in these times for several reasons: the difficulty of finding chaste women among them, the inability to guarantee the Muslim husband's guardianship over his family according to the laws of Western countries, and the danger of raising children outside the religion of Islam. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a Muslim woman who possesses faith and good character, for the beauty of faith and character is paramount, and whoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, He will compensate him with something better.