A woman is in Nikah of a man but separated. Can she seek Istikhara for her potential match without being divorced or having permission from her current husband?
A woman is in Nikah of a man but separated. Can she seek Istikhara for her potential match without being divorced or having permission from her current husband?
Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 2 years ago
Technically you are married (even if psychologically or socially you are single), so if you want to marry someone else, you should first get a divorce, and then observe iddah if necessary.
Istikhara is not appropriate for a thing which is inherently forbidden (and to marry someone else while you are married is forbidden).
This is why it is not a good idea to let a nikah without an actual marriage hang for a long time, whether it is as an engagement or after marriage. Of course it happens and I am not saying it is your fault personally, as usually it is the fault of society, but I am just saying it is not a healthy situation.
Anyway I hope you can resolve your marital situation soon (or, rather, dissolve it, if that is your intent).