Question Summary:
Who has the right to the custody of my daughter?

Question Detail:

I hope you are well and may Allah give you strength to continue serving the community with your ilmi knowledge. Aameen I understand you are busy with various commitments but I would really appreciate your assistance with a dilema I currently have. I am divorced and have a 7 year old daughter who currently stays with my ex-wife with a visitation schedule in place. My ex wife is now remarried and I am concerned about her welfare, I just want to know islamically as she is 7 years old can I have full custody of her with my good intention of allowing the mother contact of the child if she wishes to do so. May the Almighty reward you for your inspiring work on your dawah related matters. 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
As a general rule, when a divorce takes place the right of custody in the case of minor children is awarded to the mother first if she does not remarry. This is effective in the case of a male up to the age of seven and in the case of a female up to the age of nine.[1] If she remarries[2] then her right of custody is thereafter passed on to her mother, children's maternal grandmother. [3]After the respective ages of seven and nine, the father has the right of custody. However, both parents have visitation rights when the children are not in his/her custody. Visitation rights should be mutually agreed. Apart from the general rule, the overwhelming advantage of the children also plays an integral part in determining the rights of custody hence, if the maternal grandmother agrees to forfeit her right of custody and allows you to look after the child then, it will be permissible for you to take custody of the child for the wellbeing of the child.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ismail Dawoodjee
Student Darul Iftaa
Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net 
[1] (والحاضنة) أما، أو غيرها (أحق به) أي بالغلام حتى يستغني عن النساء وقدر بسبع وبه يفتى ... (قوله: حتى يستغني عن النساء) بأن يأكل ويشرب ويستنجي وحده، والمراد بالاستنجاء تمام الطهارة بأن يتطهر بالماء بلا معين، وقيل مجرد الاستنجاء وهو التطهير من النجاسة وإن لم يقدر على تمام الطهارة زيلعي أي الطهارة الشاملة للوضوء. (قوله: وقدر بسبع) هو قريب من الأول بل عينه لأنه حينئذ يستنجي وحده، ألا ترى إلى ما يروى عنه - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أنه قال «مروا صبيانكم إذا بلغوا سبعا» والأمر بما لا يكون إلا بعد القدرة على الطهارة زيلعي. (قوله: وبه يفتى) وقيل بتسع سنين(الرد المحتار ج3 ص568 سعيد)
فتاوى محمودية ج13 ص568 فاروقية
[2] منها ان لا تكون ذات زوج اجنبي من الصغير فان كانت فلا حق لها في الحضانة (بدائع ص458 ج3 احياء تراث)
من تزوجت من هؤلاء فلا حق لها في الحضانة و كانت بمنزلة الميتة(مختصر طحاوى ص327 ج5 دار البشلئر)
[3] او تزوجت باجنبي) ام الام (و ان علت عند عدم اهلية القربى ثم ام لاب و ان علت ثم الاخت لاب و ام ثم لام ثم لاب (درالمختار ص269 ج5 دار المعرفة)
 احسن الفتاوى ص 459 ج5 سعيد
 

 
Assalāmu `alaikum Warahmatullāhi Wabrakatuh,
Respected Brother/Sister
We make Du’aa you are well. The Darul Iftaa was established in the year 2011. The fundamental objective of the Darul Iftaa is to train Ulama from various parts of the world to become Muftis. In this world of scientific calculations and technological advancements, economic confusion and political disarray, a Mufti is trained to understand and analyze current situations and provide leadership for the Ummah. There is a vacuum  of competent Muftis in various parts of the world. The Ummah lacks leadership. Alhamdulillah 21 students from different parts of the World including Canada, Belgium, USA, UK and Russia graduated this year as Mufti’s. The Darul Iftaa attended to hundreds of Fatawa from across the Globe and also attended to various large mediations and commercial arbitrations.
The Darul Iftaa requests your generous contributions during this auspicious month of Ramadhaan for running and general expenses of the Institute. This is indeed a great opportunity for you to earn Sawab e Jariyah in the Aakhirah. This is a tree with many branches bearing sweet fruits for your Aakhirah. Insha’Allah.
 
The Darul Iftaa banking details are as follows:
1. Type: Lillah
Bank: FNB
Branch: 223726
Account Number: 62292858910
2. Type: Zakaat
Bank: FNB
Branch: 220629
Account Number: 62315858136
 
The Darul Iftaa has set up an account with Payfast for foreign donors. Kindly click on the link below to contribute: 

 
Jazakallah Khayr.
 
Admin - Darul Iftaa (On behalf of Mufti Ebrahim Desai)