What is the ruling on a man marrying his deceased wife's sister before the expiration of her waiting period (iddah), knowing that the wife was a virgin and had not been consummated, and what are the implications of an absentee court ruling issued against the couple?

A man is not permitted to marry the sister of his revocably divorced wife until her waiting period ('iddah) has concluded, counting from the date he pronounced the divorce. If the marriage contract was made after the 'iddah ended, it is valid; otherwise, it is null and void. If the spouses were ignorant of this ruling, there is no sin upon them. Since no seclusion (khalwah) or consummation (dukhool) occurred, the void contract has no effect. The sister must be appeased, and an attempt should be made to overturn the ruling through legitimate means.