Is it permissible for a woman to seek divorce and marry another if her husband has been sentenced to prison for more than 15 years?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible for a woman to marry anyone other than her husband as long as she is under his marital bond, unless he divorces her or the judge rules for divorce and her waiting period () has ended. A wife has the right to request divorce from her husband if he is imprisoned for a long time, due to the harm caused by his absence, and this is permissible. However, regarding demanding divorce judicially and compelling the husband to it, scholars have differed. The opinion that permits it is closer to the objectives of , but the wife should weigh the benefits and harms, and prioritize the interests of religion.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/107747
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 107747
- 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