Wants to marry wife`s sister: I got involve with my wifes sister. We have planned to get married, please tell me after giving divorce to my first wife when I can marry to her sister.

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I am 36 years old got married 5 year back, during my marriage my relation with my wife worsening every day and during fights my wife use to ask me divorce every time, I mentally started thinking on giving her divorce in 2nd year and, in 3rd year of marriage I got involve with my wife’s sister. We have planned to get married, please tell me after giving divorce to my first wife when I can marry to her sister. I have to take her on same day of divorce because in other case family will not let us get married. So staying together alone without marriage is difficult and we don’t want to do any sin. Please guide.

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Answer:

Marry two sisters

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisas verse 23:

23      Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: your mother, daughters, sisters, father's sisters, mother's sisters, brother's daughters, sister's daughters, foster-mothers (who gave you suck), foster-sisters, your wives' mothers, your step-daughters under your guardianship born of your wives to whom ye have gone in no prohibition if ye have not gone in, (those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins, and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time except for what is past; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

Because it is unlawful and prohibited for a believer to keep two sisters as wives at one and the same time in Shariah Law, if you were to divorce your wife, you will have to wait until her 'iddah' or waiting period of three menstruations has passed and the divorce thus established, before you can legally marry your ex-wife's sister, if that is indeed what you wish to do. 

If it is any other eligible woman you intended to marry, you are well within the law to marry that woman immediately after (or even before) you divorce your wife and without waiting for her 'iddah' period to expire; but because in this particular case the woman you intend to marry is your wife's sister, and it is unlawful for a beliver to keep two sisters as wives at one and the same time in Shariah Law, you would be required to wait until the 'iddah' of divorce of your wife is over before you can legally marry her sister.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

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