The use of "7attaa" in 2:221.
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Use of the preposition "7attaa" in 2221 implies that a male cannot contract a marriage with a mushrikah until she believes, and that a female cannot be contracted in marriage to a mushrik until he believes.
Note the key word "until."
This implies that a relationship within Quranic confines can be formed with any person of any ideology, however, no contracting of marriage can take place until the mushrik, or mushrikah believes.
If this understanding is correct, then it bears advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that we, as a very small God alone community, don't need to be restricted in our choice of companion; we can choose partners from any walk of life so long as we don't finalise the marriage before the mushrik, or mushrikah believes.
The disadvantage is that if we get involved with someone who, after much discussion and debate, refuses to believe, then the marriage cannot take place and this ultimately leads to a great deal of heartache for both parties. Thus, time is wasted and emotions are bruised.
I would like to make 2 further points. The first is that the implications of the use of "7attaa" can be seen as an intentional introduction of flexibility on The Author's part; flexibility, that is, for the believers. The second is that when 2 people are in love, it can be argued that the hearts or minds are more liable to be in a state of acceptability, and as such, the belief in God alone is less likely to be rejected as the mushrik, or mushrikah, will empathise more with the truth on account of their partner.
Any thoughts?