Marrying a second wife without a reason

As-salamu `Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

Dear sir, welcome to (Alukah) Website.

Second marriage is a divine legislation which has its wisdom and great benefit, but it is like any other matter If we use it badly and lose our control of it, it will lead to bigger problems and multiple crises that we do not need.

Most people believe that second marriage is an absolute right for men and he has absolute freedom for second marriage regardless his financial or social status which made us see many troubled and broken families due to the marriage of the father to a second wife without estimating his situation and ability.

Hence, the image of a second marriage is distorted and unclear.

Dear sir, let us analyze the whole matter part by part from the study conducted by Dr. Jasem Al Mutawwa` (may Allah reward him the best) who wrote an article published on his website under the title of: "One wife or polygyny?" you can find it by searching Google.

I shall quote from his article with paraphrasing to answer your question though it bears many views:

The general rule in marriage is to marry one woman then comes the polygyny which Islam endorsed, limited, and regulated because it was limitless in the Pre-Islamic Era; where man used to marry as much women as he wanted, but Islam endorsed and limited it to four women and under certain conditions. Whoever fears to violate one of them, he should keep to one so as not to expose himself to account on the Day of Recompense.

According to these conditions, second marriage is subject to the five rulings like any permissible matter:

• Obligatory: If man fears to fall into adultery provided that he should be fair with them.

• Advisable: If man believes that he may achieve a benefit out of it.

• Permissible: If benefits and evils are equal to him.

• Reprehensible: If man believes that evils exceed benefits.

• Forbidden: If man is unable to achieve justice between the entire family.

For more details, there are many cases in which marriage to one woman is more entitled, of these cases:

1. If man loves his wife, content of her, and is sexually satisfied.

2. If his life will turn into Hell because of the second marriage because women cannot endure to have rivals to share their husbands' hearts. If that happens, they resort to irresponsible behaviors that may change the life of man into real hell and these behaviors may be done by the first or the second wife.

3. If his children most likely would oppose him and get angry if he marries another woman so the most worthy is to maintain his children and their intimacy so as not to lose them because maintaining the ties of kinship is more entitled than cutting them and maintaining paternity and filiation is better than losing them.

4. If man believes that the second or the third wife wants to seize the man and deprives him of his first wife and children, so it is better not to remarry.

These were some cases which were mentioned in the article and in which he said also: Jurists in every school of fiqh have agreed that justice should be achieved in four matters, which are: Sexual intercourse, alimony, clothing, and housing. So, if man is unable to fulfill one of these matters, polygyny will be forbidden for him and it is not permissible to do it.

Dear valued sir, after this illustration I believe that you have to reconsider the matter again rationally and objectivity. If one of these matters will not be fulfilled even with 10 percent, you should seek safety so as not to turn your happy life to worry and tension.

It is your decision first and foremost and do not forget to perform Salatul-Istikharah (supplication for guidance) and invoke Allah, for it is the basis for success in all matters, and thank you for your trust in (Alukah) Website.