Nikah with One’s Paternal Uncle’s Wife

Question

I have contracted a second nikah with a woman who, by kinship, counts as my paternal uncle’s wife — though not the wife of my own paternal uncle. But now some people have doubts about it. A fatwa from your honour is requested.

Answer

Even if she were the wife of one’s own paternal uncle, and there is no other relationship with her that entails prohibition (hurma), and she has been widowed and her ‘idda has passed, nikah with her is valid according to the Sharia as well — do not have any doubt. However, when there are two wives, it is binding (lazim) to fulfil the rights of both equally.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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