Deeming the husband unlawful

Q: I told my wife that I proposed to another woman. She became angry and told me thrice: "I swear by Allah that you are unlawful for me.'' She added that she would not sit or eat with me so long as I wanted to marry another woman. While I was still talking to her about the matter, she swore by Allah that she would not remain my wife if I engaged and married another woman. She repeated that many times, bearing in mind that I had really made the marriage contract with another woman. At the present time, my wife, who is the mother of my children, and I live in the same house and sit and eat together with our children. Please give me a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) in this regard. What is the Kaffarah (expiation) that is due on my wife for what she said? I hope this Fatwa would be in written form that she may read it and be convinced with the ruling. May Allah reward you with the best!


A: The woman has no right to enforce divorce or make herself unlawful for her husband. As for the oath taken, she has to offer Kaffarah for an oath, which involves feeding (Part No. 23; Page No. 189) ten Miskins (needy persons) from the average meal a person feeds their family, or providing them with clothing, or emancipating a believing slave. If she is unable to afford any of them, she must observe Sawm (Fast) for three days.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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