Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpūrī
❖ Question:
What is the Islamic ruling regarding a man who wishes to marry the mother of his former wife, if the marriage was not consummated (i.e., no sexual relations or seclusion took place)?
❖ Answer:
It is not permissible.
The mother-in-law becomes permanently forbidden (maḥram) for a man immediately upon the contract of marriage, whether:
➤ Consummation occurred or not,
➤ Or even seclusion (khalwah) took place or not.
❖ Evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿وَأُمَّهَاتُ نِسَائِكُمْ﴾
“…And [forbidden to you are] the mothers of your wives…”
(Sūrah al-Nisāʾ, 4:23)
The verse clearly states the prohibition of marrying one’s wife’s mother — without any condition of consummation.
Simply entering into a valid nikāḥ contract with a woman renders her mother ḥarām forever for the husband.
✅ Summary:
◈ Once a valid nikāḥ (marriage contract) is performed with a woman,
◈ Her mother becomes permanently unlawful for the man —
◈ Even if there was no seclusion or intercourse.
◈ Therefore, marrying the mother of a non-consummated divorced wife is impermissible.
هَذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
