Q: I have been married to a woman for about a year, but afew weeks ago she told me that even though she was seperated from her previous husband for over 5 years he actually gave her talaaq (divorce) 2 months before our nikah (marriage), in which case she still was in her iddah. What is the ruling regarding our nikah and will I be held accountable by the Almighty on the day of judgement, as I was told at the time that she recieved the talaaqs 5 years ago?
A: The couple should renew their nikah immediately, after which they cancontinue living as husband and wife. The husband will not be held responsible as he acted on the wife's word, which is allowed in Shariah under such circumstances.
Moulana Nazeem Moosagie
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai