Expert: Muhammad Alsugair - 6/6/2004

Question
Asalamualakum

I have a question that if a person is married already & he has three children & his wife is alive. His wife is also living with him in his house . they like each other too. But then husband wants to marry another girl. Now my question is that it is compulsory that the husband must to get permission from her wife for second marriage or he may do this with out the consent of first wife & can marry the second girl in hidden way. Although he does not want to divorce the first wife. & wants to keep both in his home. Plz tell me about the permission of first wife in accordance of Muslim law Quran & sunnah thanx


Answer
Dear Faiq
Wa-Alykum As-Salam,

A Muslim can marry another wife without the consent of his first, second or third wife. It is advisable, however, to let her know so that she does not undergo a shock the moment she knew about this! The second wife has to be in a palce of her own if she made that as a condition in the "aqd of nikah". This is also advisable so you don't get an everyday headache!

Good Luck..
MS