A husband lost his wife in gambling: does the nikah remain?

Question

Zayd is a gambler. Having lost his wife in gambling, he handed her over to the gamblers; they kept her hidden in an unknown place for a day and a night. The girl’s parents put pressure on Zayd, and then he searched for her. After searching, she was found somewhere in a forest. The parents brought her to their home. The girl is at present in her father’s house. Zayd says: “I will keep her.” The parents say: “Since you lost your wife in gambling, you no longer have any connection with her.

Answer

Gambling is haram. If he lost his wife in gambling, the nikah did not end thereby, but modesty and decency have completely gone. What can be expected of him in the future? It is beneficial for the girl to obtain a divorce (talaq) from him in exchange for the mahr or by tempting him in some other way.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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