Can the Wife of a Martyr Remarry?

Author: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)

Question:
Is it permissible for the wife of a martyr to remarry? Are there any examples in Islamic history of the wives of martyrs marrying again?

Answer:
It is entirely permissible for the wife of a martyr to remarry after completing her ‘iddah (waiting period). There is no restriction in Islam against this, and numerous examples from Islamic history affirm that the wives of martyrs remarried. Below are some notable instances:

Examples from Islamic History​

1. Atikah bint Zayd (رضي الله عنها):
   
   • She was the sister of Sa’id bin Zayd (رضي الله عنه), one of the ten promised Paradise (Asharah Mubasharah).
   • Initially married to Abdullah bin Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنهما), who loved her dearly. After his death, she married Zaid bin Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), who was martyred in the Battle of Yamama.
   • Following his martyrdom, she married Umar bin Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه). After Umar's martyrdom, she married Zubair bin Al-Awwam (رضي الله عنه).
   • Reference: [Al-Isabah, 4/356-358]
2. Asma bint Umais (رضي الله عنها):
   
   • Initially married to Ja’far bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه), who was martyred in the Battle of Mu’tah.
   • She later married Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه), and after his death, she married Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه).
   • Reference: [Al-Isabah, 4/231]
3. Imamah bint Zainab (رضي الله عنها):
   
   • The granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
   • She married Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) after Fatimah’s death. After Ali's martyrdom, she married Mughirah bin Naufal.
   • Reference: [Tabqat Ibn Sa’d, 8/128; Asad al-Ghabah, 5/1400]
4. Umm Haram (رضي الله عنها):
   
   • Initially married to Amr bin Qais Ansari (رضي الله عنه), who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud.
   • She later married Ubadah bin As-Samit (رضي الله عنه) and participated with him in battles, eventually being martyred herself in Cyprus.
   • Reference: [Al-Isabah, 4/441]
5. Umm Kulthum bint Uqbah (رضي الله عنها):
   
   • Initially married to Zaid bin Harithah (رضي الله عنه), who was martyred in the Battle of Mu’tah.
   • She later married Zubair bin Al-Awwam (رضي الله عنه) but was divorced.
   • She then married Abdur Rahman bin Awf (رضي الله عنه). After his death, she married Amr bin Al-As (رضي الله عنه).
   • Reference: [Al-Isabah, 4/491]

Islamic Perspective on Remarriage for Widows​

Islam not only permits widows, including those of martyrs, to remarry but also actively encourages it. This is evident from the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who married several widows to uphold their dignity and set an example for the Muslim community.

1. Breaking Societal Stigmas:
   Ignorant customs stigmatizing widow remarriage have no basis in Islam. Islam abolished such harmful practices and emphasized the rights of widows to seek a new marital relationship.
2. Marriage of the Prophet (ﷺ):
   Except for Aisha (رضي الله عنها), all the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) were widows or divorced women, underscoring the permissibility and importance of marrying widows.

Conclusion:​

There is no prohibition or stigma in Islam against the wife of a martyr remarrying after completing her ‘iddah. History provides numerous examples of the wives of martyrs marrying again, and the practice aligns with the principles of Islam. Ignorant cultural attitudes discouraging widow remarriage are baseless and contradict Islamic teachings.

May Allah grant us understanding and enable us to follow the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah. (Ameen)