AS-Salam Alaykum, Is it permissible for a man to marry his uncles wife after their divorce? What would his rights be towards the kids, since they are his cousins? Thanking you. Allah's blessing be on you.
Praise be to Allah.A man is permitted to marry the wife of his maternal uncle, if they
divorce and after she has completed her iddah (waiting-period after divorce). An
uncles wife is not a mahram (close relative to whom marriage is permanently
forbidden), so there is nothing wrong with marrying her. But it is forbidden for a man to
have any kind of haraam relationship with his uncles wife. Shaytaan could make
something that is bad appear attractive to them, so it is essential to exercise caution.
Also, it is not permitted to make her hate her husband so that she will get divorced and
one can then marry her. One should try to reconcile and reunite, not destroy and break up.
In principle, it is better for the children to stay with their father and mother in one
family unit, unless the interests of shareeah in this case dictate otherwise. If the
worst comes to the worst, and they get divorced, and there is no suspicion about your role
in all this, then there is nothing wrong with marrying the woman who has been divorced by
your uncle. Your treatment of your uncles children (your cousins), if they should
come under your care, should be fair and proper, based on the ties of kinship between you.
If you treat them well, doing so sincerely for the sake of Allaah, then you will have a
great reward from Him. And Allaah knows best.