A second nikah for a widow

Question

Zayd's wife has been widowed. She wishes to spend her life in the remembrance of Allah Most High, that is, not to enter into a second nikah, and she fears lest she be held to account on the Day of Resurrection, since she knows that entering into a second nikah is a sunna. Please tell us: in this situation, while she remains steadfast in fasting and prayer, will she deserve punishment for not entering into a second nikah or not?

Answer

If she does not fear falling into sin, but rather can live her life in peace, then a second nikah is not necessary for her, and she will not deserve punishment for not entering into a second nikah. However, if she does enter into it, regarding it as a sunna, she will deserve reward.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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