Please contribute generously in order to ensure the continuity of our website InshaAllah.
Is it permissible for a man to marry his uncle’s wife after their divorce? What would his rights be towards the kids, since they are his cousins? Thank you. Allah’s blessing be on you.
A man is permitted to marry his maternal uncle’s ex-wife after she has completed her `Iddah. However, it is strictly prohibited to influence her or cause her to seek a divorce in order to marry her. If one marries his uncle’s ex-wife, her children (one’s cousins) must be treated with fairness and kindness, and the bonds of kinship should be upheld sincerely for the sake of Allah.
Praise be to Allah.
A man is permitted to marry the wife of his maternal uncle, if they divorce and after she has completed her `Iddah (waiting-period after divorce).
An uncle’s wife is not a Mahram (someone to whom marriage is permanently forbidden), so there is nothing wrong with marrying her.
But it is forbidden for a man to have any kind of prohibited relationship with his uncle’s wife. The devil could make something that is bad appear attractive to them, so it is essential to exercise caution.
Also, it is not permitted to make her hate her husband so that she will get divorced and one can then marry her.
One should try to reconcile and reunite, not destroy and break up.
In principle, it is better for the children to stay with their father and mother in one family unit, unless the interests of Shari`ah in this case dictate otherwise.
If worst comes to worst, and they get divorced, and there is no suspicion about your role in all this, then there is nothing wrong with marrying the woman who has been divorced by your uncle.
Your treatment of your uncle’s children (your cousins), if they should come under your care, should be fair and proper, based on the ties of kinship between you.
If you treat them well, doing so sincerely for the sake of Allah, then you will have a great reward from Him.
For further insights, explore these answers:
Is the Father-In-law a Mahram?
Is the father of one’s ex-husband a Mahram?
Is the wife’s sister considered to be a Mahram?
Is My Husband’s Stepfather My Mahram?
And Allah knows best.