Short answer
No. A Muslim man may not marry a Hindu woman and a Muslim woman may not marry a Hindu man, unless the Hindu partner sincerely accepts Islam first. The four schools agree. The same applies to Sikhs, Buddhists, atheists and followers of any religion other than Christianity and Judaism.
A nikah between a Muslim and a Hindu (or any non-Kitabi) is void and relations under it are not lawful. If the Hindu partner sincerely accepts Islam, a fresh nikah can be done.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Allah says: "Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe," and "do not marry polytheistic men to your women until they believe" (2:221). Worship of many gods, or of idols, is shirk (associating partners with Allah), so the four schools agree that marriage with a Hindu is not allowed for either a Muslim man or a Muslim woman. The only exception in the Quran is for a Muslim man marrying a Christian or Jewish woman, and it does not extend to other faiths.
This rule is not about race, caste or nationality. A Hindu who accepts Islam becomes a Muslim, and marriage to them is then fully lawful, and they are your equal in faith. What matters is that the acceptance is real. A conversion done only to get past the nikah, with no belief, does not make the marriage valid before Allah, and often leads to pain later, especially when children are born.
Some couples marry in court or a temple and assume it is fine because the law recognises it. A civil or Hindu ceremony does not make a Muslim's marriage to a non-Kitabi valid in Islam. If you are already in this situation, speak to an imam or mufti with care: the way forward depends on whether your partner wants to embrace Islam. Sincere repentance is always open, as explained in does Allah forgive all sins.
If your partner is curious about Islam, the new Muslim guide and the shahada page are good places to start.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:221
وَلَا تَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكَٰتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌۭ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌۭ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍۢ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ وَلَعَبْدٌۭ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌۭ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍۢ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ وَيُبَيِّنُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢٢١﴾
And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you. And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may remember.
Marriage with people of polytheistic faiths is forbidden for men and women alike.
Quran, Surah Al-Mumtahana 60:10
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتُ مُهَٰجِرَٰتٍۢ فَٱمْتَحِنُوهُنَّ ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَٰنِهِنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَٰتٍۢ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ ۖ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّۭ لَّهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ ۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مَّآ أَنفَقُوا۟ ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ ۚ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوا۟ بِعِصَمِ ٱلْكَوَافِرِ وَسْـَٔلُوا۟ مَآ أَنفَقْتُمْ وَلْيَسْـَٔلُوا۟ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ حُكْمُ ٱللَّهِ ۖ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ﴿١٠﴾
O you who have believed, when the believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them. Allah is most knowing as to their faith. And if you know them to be believers, then do not return them to the disbelievers; they are not lawful [wives] for them, nor are they lawful [husbands] for them. But give the disbelievers what they have spent. And there is no blame upon you if you marry them when you have given them their due compensation. And hold not to marriage bonds with disbelieving women, but ask for what you have spent and let them ask for what they have spent. That is the judgement of Allah; He judges between you. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.
Muslims may not keep marriage ties with disbelieving women outside the people of the Book.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Nikah, Fasl fi Bayan al-Muharramat. Marriage to a mushrik woman or an idol worshipper is not permitted.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Nikah, chapter on women forbidden in marriage. Lists the faiths whose women a Muslim may not marry.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.