What is the Sharia ruling on a husband taking back his wife after divorcing her for the second time, when her family refuses to allow it unless he signs a promissory note, and is this condition permissible?
A husband has the right to take back his wife in a revocable divorce (ṭalāq rajʿī) before the expiration of her waiting period (iddah). The validity of this return (rajʿah) does not require the wife's or her guardian's consent. As long as the wife is within the iddah of the second divorce, the husband has the right to take her back by saying: "I have taken back my wife," whereupon she returns to his marital bond. She must then return to her home and obey him in what is good, and her father has no right to prevent her or to stipulate her signing any document. The husband is advised to take back his wife and explain this to her father. If the father insists on preventing her, then sensible people should mediate; otherwise, the matter should be referred to the judiciary. We also note that the wife has no right to prevent her child from visiting her husband's mother, but she is not obligated to visit her husband's mother.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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