Can a Separated Woman Consider a New Spouse?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Is it wrong for a woman who has been separated from her husband to consider a proposal before her divorce?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Yes, it is wrong for her to do so. She is still technically married. If the marriage cannot be fixed, she should ask for a divorce or speak to a Shari’a council about the matter. Once the marriage and her waiting period (‘idda) are over, she is free to pursue another marriage.

This is the best course of action if she does not want to get back with her husband. The Shari’a forbids a direct proposal even when a lady is in her ‘idda, so discussing marriage with a suitor whilst still married is also something that would not be permitted. [Maydani, al-Lubab]

May Allah facilitate what’s best for you.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008, he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.