Marrying a second time without the consent of the first wife

Q. Is it permissible for a man to marry a second time without the consent of his first wife?

A. During the pre-Islamic period, polygamy was practised without restriction. A man could have more than ten wives, and there was no limitation on the number. However, Islam later limited the number of wives a man could have to four.

Polygamy was practised by nearly all the Ambiyaa (Alaihimus Salaam), including the last Prophet of Allah, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), as well as the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum‎) and the Taabi'in (Rahimahumullah). It is an established practice in Islam, permitted by the Qur'an-e-Karim and the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). However, it is important to emphasise that polygamy is forbidden for a man who does not have the financial or physical means to support more than one wife, or who cannot maintain equality between the wives on a material level.

The consent of the first wife is not required to contract a second marriage. It is Islamically valid to contract a second Nikah even if the first wife does not agree. In reality, a pious woman should not object to her husband marrying a second time. Jealousy is a natural feeling, but a true believer must not let jealousy overtake her faith, especially when it concerns following the principles of Shariah. Polygamy is, in fact, a remedy for the prevention of Zina in its various forms, and it is the Shariah that must take precedence over all personal considerations.

May Allah Ta'ala grant us a correct understanding of His Deen. Aameen!

[English version of "Se marier une deuxième fois sans le consentement de la première femme" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 9,10]