Does a secret marriage proposal from a widow during her waiting period (iddah) prevent one from marrying her after the iddah ends, based on the principle of "whoever hastens a matter before its appointed time shall be punished by being deprived of it"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to openly propose to a woman observing her (waiting period), whether she is observing it due to divorce or death. Both of you erred in what transpired between you regarding the open proposal and acceptance. However, there is no sin upon you if you were ignorant of the ruling. Your marriage to her after the expiration of her iddah is valid. It is more appropriate to say "Allah willed" (شاء الله) or "Allah decreed" (قدّر الله) instead of "circumstances and fate willed" (شاءت الظروف والأقدار).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/126876
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 126876
- 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