Is it permissible to marry a Ukrainian Orthodox woman who was previously civilly married and divorced, knowing that divorce is forbidden in Orthodoxy?
It is permissible for a Muslim man to marry a chaste, modest Christian divorcee after her 'iddah (waiting period) has expired, based on the Almighty's saying: "And the chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due dowries, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking secret lovers." No consideration is given to the prohibition of divorce in their creed or the prohibition of her marriage to a Muslim in their religion, for Islam is dominant over Christianity, and the ruling on their marriages is like the ruling on Muslim marriages in terms of rights and obligations. The 'iddah of a Christian divorcee is like that of a Muslim woman: three menstrual cycles for those who menstruate, delivery for pregnant women, and three months for those who have despaired of menstruation or have not menstruated. It is a condition for her marriage that the conditions and pillars of the marriage contract for a Muslim woman are met, including the approval of her legal guardian. However, marriage to a non-Muslim woman is not recommended due to the risks involved.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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