Q355 :Could you please explain what is necessary
when marrying a divorced woman. If I want to keep this marriage a
secret from my parents, would it be permissible?
A355 : Marrying a divorced woman is effected in the
same way as all other marriages. You must make sure, however, that the
woman has actually been divorced by her husband and that she has
netpleted her waiting period. The waiting period of a divorcee lasts
until she has netpleted three periods of menstruation or three periods
of cleanliness from menstruation. If she is too young or too old to
have the period, then she waits for three months. If she is pregnant at
the time of divorce, her waiting period lasts until she has delivered
or the pregnancy is terminated. The marriage contract consist of a
netmitment by the woman’s parents or guardian and acceptance by the
man. This must be done in the presence of two witnesses. A dower is
payable to the woman by her husband. The amount is agreed between the
two of them and the money benetes the property of the wife. She has
sole discretion over its use, since it is hers. It is strongly
renetmended that after the marriage takes place, the husband invites
relatives and neighbors to a meal. This serves as part of the publicity
which is essential in marriage. When we say that publicity is
essential, the first to know normally are the families of the two
marriage partners. Hence, keeping the marriage secret from your own
parents is unbeneting. If you feel that telling your parents about your
impending marriage would create unnecessary problems, it is permissible
to hold the news for sometime. However, in fairness to your wife and
your parents, you should try to normalize your relations as soon as
possible by taking your parents into confidence and telling them about
your marriage.
Our Dialogue ( Source : Arab News – Jeddah )