Q:My wife was in iddaat (the waiting period after divorce) when we got married. She only told me this after I married her. We want to know if our nikah is valid? Our marriage is legal and nikah. We are married 17 months. (ioq)

A: Redo your nikah. This would be your best option.

If her negligence was intentional, she would be viewed as sinful.

Allah Certainty knows Best.

USA citizens are also required to be register their marriages with the state prior to the performing of their nikah. If per chance the Islamic scholar is registered with the state so as to perform the nikah and registrar the couple with the state, then this would function as an ideal condition.