What is the ruling on a man marrying a woman during her 'iddah (waiting period) after her husband's death, and what are the implications for this marriage that took place thirty years ago and in which they had children?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The woman whose husband has died is obligated to observe an ' (waiting period) of four months and ten days, unless she is pregnant, in which case her 'iddah ends upon delivery. Marriage during the 'iddah is invalid by scholarly consensus. Therefore, a separation must occur between her and the man she married. She then completes the 'iddah from the first marriage, and once it is finished, the second man is permitted to marry her. Her children from the invalid marriage are attributed to him due to the شبهة (semblance of legality) arising from ignorance of the religious ruling.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/7878
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 7878
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy