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What is the ruling regarding a woman marrying another man one day after her divorce from her first husband, given that she did not complete her waiting period ('iddah)?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Most scholars hold that the wife of an impotent man must observe an 'iddah (waiting period) after separation. It is reported from Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, that he would grant the impotent man a year's delay. If, after that period, he was still unable to consummate the marriage with his wife, they would be separated, and it would be considered an irreversible divorce. She would be entitled to her full Mahr (dowry) and would be obligated to observe the 'iddah. The ruling regarding a valid seclusion (khalwa) is the same as that of consummation in terms of completing the Mahr and the obligation of the 'iddah. Accordingly, a woman's marriage before the expiration of her 'iddah from her first husband is null and void.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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