Children’s Custody Rights after Divorce

Q. Does a remarried divorcee have a right over her children from the previous marriage? The former husband claims thatshe waived her custodial rights by remarrying -- andthat the boys will remain with him. A. According to the Hanafis, the right to the custody of the girl from the age of 10 and the boy from the age of 8 is that of the father. If the father is not capable in terms of Shariah to have custody of the children then the right to custody passes on to other paternalfamily members. According to some Mazhabs, the child will have a choice at the age of bulugh (puberty) as to whohe/she wishes to stay with. And Allah Knows Best