Q. My brother-in-law divorced his wife in rather very acrimonious circumstances. Now, a year later, he is making contact with his former wife and she is willing to be reunited with him. In fact, she seems to be contemplating running away with him.
S. Osman, Jeddah
A. It is open to any divorced couple to be remarried if they think they can do better the next time round. The only condition is that it should be a first or second time divorce. If it is their third divorce, then they cannot be reunited in marriage, until the woman has married someone else and later became free again. This marriage is different from what is known as halalah, where a sham marriage is arranged. It should be a full marriage, intended to last for life.
From what you say, I gather this was the first time that a divorce takes place in this family. If so, then remarriage between the former husband and wife is perfectly permissible. However, they need a fresh marriage contract, and the man has to pay new dowry, or mahr, to his wife. Even if he had said the word of divorce three times, when he divorced his wife, it still counts as a single divorce. So, reunion is permissible. There is no need for the woman to run away, or to find excuses such as the divorce being forced on them. What is needed is a fresh marriage contract which should be done in a proper manner, just like any other marriage contract.
Shaking hands and Islamic greeting
Q. When two Muslims meet and greet each other, should they shake hands as well? Is that part of Islamic greeting?
A. Nazamuddin, Riyadh
A. Shaking hands is part of a welcome and friendly greeting in many cultures. While there are some Hadiths to show that it is encouraged, there is no obligation or requirement to shake hands when we greet our brothers and friends on meeting them. In such matters, social and cultural norms dictate people’s behavior.
Head covering and prayer
Q. When we offer our prayers, is it obligatory to wear a head covering, like a cap? If it is not obligatory, how important is it? Are prayers acceptable if one does not cover his head? Is it true that one must not enter a mosque without wearing some head cover? Is there any guidance on shape, color or size of the best head cover to wear?
Tawhid Khan
Riyadh
A. The Prophet used to wear a head cover most of the time, because this was the normal social tradition in his society. He did not introduce it as part of his guidance. He did not change his clothes in any significant way to suggest that there is particular Islamic preference in matters of dress.
On the basis of the Prophet’s teachings we can say that wearing a cap is neither obligatory nor particularly recommended for entering a mosque or offering prayers. Thus, a prayer without wearing any head cover is just as acceptable as a prayer with a cap on. Unfortunately, in some societies, there is much emphasis placed on wearing a cap when we pray, to the extent that a supply of caps is placed in mosques for common use. This is unnecessary.
