Source: Extracted from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women based on the fatwas of the scholars of the Two Holy Mosques, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
Question:
If a husband informs his wife of his intention to marry another woman, and the wife opposes this decision—stating that she fulfills all his rights, provides him with children, and sees no valid reason for him to remarry—is it permissible for her to demand divorce in this situation?Answer:
- The Wife’s Rights and Responsibilities:
- A wife does not have the right to prevent her husband from marrying another woman, regardless of how well she fulfills her duties or serves him.
- It is possible that the husband has legitimate reasons for wanting to remarry, such as:
- A desire for more children.
- Wanting to assist the other woman in avoiding sin by marrying her.
- Feeling that one wife is not sufficient to help him remain chaste.
- The Husband’s Right to Marry Multiple Wives:
- In Islam, a man is permitted to marry up to four wives as long as he fulfills their rights and treats them justly.
- A wife cannot forbid her husband from exercising this right, as it is granted by Allah.
- When Can a Wife Demand Divorce?
- If the wife fears that her husband will be unjust to her after marrying another woman, or if she feels she cannot live peacefully in a polygamous relationship, she is permitted to seek divorce out of necessity.
- However, demanding divorce without a valid reason is prohibited in Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Any woman who asks for a divorce without a valid reason will be forbidden from even smelling the fragrance of Paradise."
[Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2226]
- Seeking a Balanced Approach:
- The wife should discuss her concerns with her husband and attempt to reach an understanding.
- If the wife’s fears are related to her ability to manage the situation, she may seek arbitration or counseling before resorting to divorce.