In a person’s life, marriage is not merely a social bond; it is a sacred relationship of love, responsibility, compassion and mutual support. In Islam, the relationship between husband and wife is not confined to the life of this world; rather, the permanence of this bond in paradise has also been given as glad tidings. A question therefore arises in many minds: if a woman has had more than one husband in this world — for example, if she remarried after her first husband died — which husband will she be with in paradise?
Reunion with loved ones in paradise
Islam describes paradise as an abode where there will be no sorrow, suffering, deficiency or separation. Allah says: “And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith — We will join their descendants with them.” (Surah At-Tur, verse 21)
Elsewhere, Allah says: “Gardens of perpetual residence, which they will enter along with the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, verse 23)
The renowned exegete Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said that, to complete the joy of the people of paradise, Allah will unite them with their loved ones, even if there is some difference in the level of their deeds.Which husband will a woman who married more than once be with in paradise?
According to some scholars, if a woman has had more than one husband, she will be with her last husband in paradise. In support of this view, a narration is cited from Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him). He told his wife, Umm Darda: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say that a woman who marries someone else after her husband dies will belong to her last husband in paradise.” (Tabarani, Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat, hadith 3130)
Although hadith scholars have discussed the chain of this narration, many jurists have accepted this view. Another narration states that Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): “O Messenger of Allah! If a woman has two husbands in this world, whom will she be with in paradise?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied: “She will be given the choice. Then she will choose the husband who treated her best in this world.” He then said: “Good character brings together the good of this world and the hereafter.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir, Tabarani)
From this narration, many scholars have expressed the view that what will take precedence in paradise is the woman’s contentment and happiness.
According to some Islamic scholars, since paradise is an abode of perfect happiness, no one will be kept there in a state that causes their heart any pain or sense of deficiency. Therefore, if a woman has more than one husband, she may be given the choice to select a husband according to her own preference. This view is supported by Allah’s general declaration: “There you will have whatever your souls desire, and there you will have whatever you ask for.” (Surah Fussilat, verse 31)
Allah also says: “There will be whatever the souls desire and the eyes delight in.” (Surah Az-Zukhruf, verse 71)
Contemporary scholars have reconciled the matter as follows: if one of a woman’s husbands treated her better and was more pious, she will choose him. And if there is no notable difference in their status and conduct, she will be with her last husband. It must be remembered, however, that many of these explanations are based on ijtihad. There is no decisive and unambiguous statement on this matter in the Quran and authentic hadith that would settle all differences of opinion.
Therefore, on the question of which husband a woman who has married twice or more will be with in paradise, there are several views among Islamic scholars. Some say she will be with her last husband; some say she will be given the right to choose; and others say she will choose the husband who treated her best in this world.
Above all these views, however, the truth that can be stated without hesitation is this: paradise is an abode of perfect happiness, peace and contentment for Allah’s pleased servants. There, no believer’s heart will hold any sorrow, regret or sense of deficiency. Through His boundless wisdom and justice, Allah will make arrangements for every dweller of paradise so that they attain everlasting happiness and tranquility. So the final knowledge of this matter rests with Allah, and the duty of the believer is to adorn life with faith and good deeds in order to attain paradise.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report