And Married Women Except Those Your Right Hands Possess — Women Forbidden in Marriage
fiqh
Level: advanced
nikah
fqh-044
وَٱلۡمُحۡصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ
— النساء 24
Verse: "And married women — except those your right hands possess." (4:24)
"Muhsanat" (married women): Marrying a woman with a living husband is forbidden unless her marriage is dissolved (divorce or death).
Wisdom of specifying the forbidden: Protecting the family and organizing social relationships — most prohibitions are from close relatives to preserve the family.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (5/89); Ibn Qudama (7/83); Ibn Al-Arabi (1/330)
Question: What is the ruling on marrying a woman who has a living husband?
Answer: Forbidden by consensus. Not lawful until her husband separates from her by divorce or dies and her waiting period ends. Marriage to her is invalid and constitutes adultery.