Is it permissible to marry a divorced woman whose divorce papers have not been presented? And is it permissible to marry secretly with the consent of both parties and by the hand of a friend?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible to marry a woman who claims to be divorced without proof, according to the Hanafis and Malikis, especially if there is a divorce document. However, it is preferable to verify, and divorce is only established by the testimony of two just witnesses. As for secret marriage, if it is without a guardian or witnesses, it is invalid. If it fulfills the conditions but is not publicly announced, it is valid according to the majority of scholars but disliked. It becomes valid and enforceable if a judge rules it to be so.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/118857
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 118857
- 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