Question

What is the authenticity of this Hadith:

‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) related that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) cursed the “muhill” (the person marrying a woman to make her halal for her first husband) and the person who “halalah” was done on behalf.

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith and has declared it authentic (hasanun sahih).

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1120)

When a man grants his wife three talaqs (divorces), she becomes haram for him to remarry, unless she marries someone else, consummates the marriage with him and then he divorces her. The process of her consummating this second marriage is referred to as “halalah”.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) cursed the person who marries a woman solely with this intention, i.e., marrying her to make her halal for her first husband to remarry, as well as her first husband (if he was involved in arranging this marriage).

Note

I have merely answered your question regarding the authenticity of the Hadith in question. However, for the benefit of other readers I have provided a brief explanation of “halalah” as well. This by no means should be viewed as a Fiqh ruling. Kindly refer to a reliable Mufti/Darul Ifta for details on this issue.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar