The Prohibition of Marrying the Wife of One’s Father in Islam

Understanding the Quranic Ruling on Marrying the Father’s Wife

MARRYING THE WIFE OF THE FATHER IS PROHIBITED

ALLĀH said,

وَلَا تَنكِحُواْ مَا نَكَحَ ابَاوُكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاء

And marry not women whom your fathers married,

ALLĀH prohibits marrying the women whom the father married, in honor and respect to the fathers, not allowing their children to have sexual relations with their wives after they die.

A woman becomes ineligible for the son of her husband as soon as the marriage contract is conducted, and there is a consensus on this ruling.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn Abbās said: “During the time of Jahiliyyah, the people used to prohibit what ALLĀH prohibits (concerning marriage), except marrying the stepmother and taking two sisters as rival wives. ALLĀH sent down,

وَلَا تَنكِحُواْ مَا نَكَحَ ابَاوُكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاء

(And marry not women whom your fathers married), and,

وَأَن تَجْمَعُواْ بَيْنَ الاُخْتَيْنِ

(and two sisters in wedlock at the same time).” (4:23)

Similar reports were reported from Ata and Qatadah.

Therefore, the practice that the Ayah mentions is prohibited for this Ummah, being disgraced as an awful sin.

إِلاَّ مَا قَدْ سَلَفَ

except what has already passed;

إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَمَقْتًا وَسَاء سَبِيلً

Indeed it was shameful and Maqtan, and an evil way.) 

ALLĀH said in other Ayat,

وَلَا تَقْرَبُواْ الْفَوَحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ

Come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful acts) whether committed openly or secretly. (6:151) and,

وَلَا تَقْرَبُواْ الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَأءَ سَبِيلً

And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Fahishah and an evil way. (17:32)

In this Ayah (4:22), ALLĀH added,

وَمَقْتًا

(and Maqtan), meaning, offensive.

It is a sin itself and causes the son to hate his father after he marries his wife.

It is usual that whoever marries a woman dislikes those who married her before him.

This is one reason why the Mothers of the Faithful were not allowed for anyone in marriage after the Messenger. They are indeed the Mothers of the Faithful since they married the Messenger, who is like the father to the believers. Rather, the Prophet’s right is far greater than the right of a father, and his love comes before each person loving himself, may ALLAH’S peace and blessings be on him.

{Tafsi‌r Ibn Kathīr}