Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpūrī
What is the Islamic ruling on marrying the mother of a woman who was divorced before consummation (non-consummated marriage)?
❖ It is not permissible.
Once a nikāḥ (marriage contract) is established with a woman, her mother (mother-in-law) becomes permanently prohibited (ḥarām) for the husband, regardless of whether he had sexual relations or even seclusion with her daughter.
﴿وَأُمَّهَاتُ نِسَائِكُمْ﴾
“…And [forbidden to you are] the mothers of your wives…”
(Sūrah al-Nisāʾ, 4:23)
In this verse, Allah mentions “your wives” in absolute terms, without any condition of consummation (dukhūl) or seclusion (khalwah).
This indicates that the moment a woman becomes one’s wife via a valid contract, her mother becomes permanently unlawful to marry.
◈ The mother-in-law becomes ḥarām (forbidden) forever,
✔ even if the marriage with her daughter ended before consummation.
✔ Whether the woman was divorced or passed away, it does not change this ruling.
✔ This ruling is based on clear and unconditional wording in the Qur’an.
هَذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
❖ Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on marrying the mother of a woman who was divorced before consummation (non-consummated marriage)?
❖ Answer:
❖ It is not permissible.
Once a nikāḥ (marriage contract) is established with a woman, her mother (mother-in-law) becomes permanently prohibited (ḥarām) for the husband, regardless of whether he had sexual relations or even seclusion with her daughter.
❖ Evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿وَأُمَّهَاتُ نِسَائِكُمْ﴾
“…And [forbidden to you are] the mothers of your wives…”
(Sūrah al-Nisāʾ, 4:23)
In this verse, Allah mentions “your wives” in absolute terms, without any condition of consummation (dukhūl) or seclusion (khalwah).
This indicates that the moment a woman becomes one’s wife via a valid contract, her mother becomes permanently unlawful to marry.
Summary:
◈ The mother-in-law becomes ḥarām (forbidden) forever,
✔ even if the marriage with her daughter ended before consummation.
✔ Whether the woman was divorced or passed away, it does not change this ruling.
✔ This ruling is based on clear and unconditional wording in the Qur’an.
هَذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
