Question:
As-salamu alaykum,
I humbly request your permission and blessings to approach my former wife with the intention of proposing marriage and seeking reconciliation.
Please make du`a that, if this is best for our religion, dunya, and akhirah.
Answer:
wa ‘alaykum salam,
Allah (swt) said:
وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ إِنْ أَرَادُوا إِصْلَاحًا ۚ وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ
“And their husbands have more right to take them back during that period…” (Sūrat al-Baqarah, 2:228)
The period referred to is the waiting period before a revocable divorce is complete.
Spiritually, the verse suggests that reconciliation with one’s former spouse may be better than starting anew, if both sides sincerely seek repair, justice, and peace, and Allah knows best.
After ʿiddah (i.e. the divorce has been finalized): a new marriage contract is required. There is no automatic right of rajʿah (a man taking back his wife during ʿiddah after a first or second revocable divorce.)
Taher Siddiqui
