Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Question:
I am planning to marry another wife. My current wife is not in agreement with this. What is the ḥukum/ solution to this?
Answer:
In the Name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
Marriage is a serious life long commitment. There are many rights and responsibilities in marriage.
Islamically, it is permissible for a man to marry a second wife. However, there are a number of issues to be dealt with that must be taken into consideration:
- Is it legally permitted to engage in polygamy in your country?
- Is the first wife aware of this proposed marriage or is this a secret marriage? There is no concept of a secret marriage in Islam.
- Is the husband able to fulfill all related rights and responsibilities regarding the second marriage such as spending equal time and parenting children? and providing all wives with shelter, food, clothing and basic necessities?
Even though you have the full islamic right to go ahead and get married again, we suggest you sit down with the elders of the families, legal counsel and or some respectable imams to discuss the matter. The advice and pertinent counsel that is presented in such meetings will enable you to understand some of the perspectives you may not be aware of. Following the law of the land is also an islamic dictate.
If your current wife is fulfilling all your God given rights of love, respect, support, intimacy, procreation and loyalty, the Qur’ān implores to suffice with one. (See: Qur’ān 4:3)
We pray that Allāh bless you and your future.
And Allāh Knows Best
