Conditions for taking a second wife
| Fatwa #727 | Category: Marriage & Divorce | Country: United Kingdom | Date: 2nd February 2022 |
| Fatwa #727 | Date: 2nd February 2022 |
| Category: Marriage & Divorce | |
| Country: United Kingdom | |
Question
What are the conditions for a man when taking a second wife?
Please explain in detail
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is well known that Shari’ah has allowed a male to have a maximum of 4 wives at any given time. This is a right afforded to a male by Almighty Allah. Divine laws are always full of wisdom though the human mind may not necessarily perceive them immediately.
There is only one obligation upon the male should he choose to marry more than one wife and that is to maintain equality between the wives.
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran,
فَانْكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً (النساء: 3)
Translation: “…Then marry women of your choice, two, three, or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one…”
It is a grave sin to treat the wives unequally. Any man who wishes to take a second wife also has to meet the important condition of fair treatment of all his wives. Equal treatment includes social, financial, and physical needs. It is important to note that matters of the heart cannot be controlled, hence, equality in that regard is not obligatory.
Greater emphasis has been placed on equality in the number of nights spent with each wife though time spent with each wife during the day may differ.
A male unable to maintain more than one wife in the prescribed manner should not take a second wife. However, should he be confident regarding adequately fulfilling this obligation, then he is at liberty to take a second wife.
Having said that, taking a second wife is something that definitely impacts the first wife as well. Hence, wisdom demands consulting ones first wife and puting the matter forward to her in an amicable manner. One should also seek counsel from other elders of the family before making a decision.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Bilal Pandor
Checked and Approved by
Mufti Nabeel Valli
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia