Permission of first wife to marry second wife: Can man get married without informing his first wife

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question: 

Assalam u Alikum.. I am from Pakistan...i want to ask a very complicated question which is irritating me from the day i have seen this incident.. Actualy in these days in pakistan a news is circulating in media that Suhail tanvir (a well known cricketer of Pakistani International team) performed his second shadi widout leting inform to his first wife.. i was watching talk show in Express news name Frontline. .. there this issue has been discussed with one Mufti and one political worker sharmila farooqi. Also suhail tanvir's ex wife was there on fone.. My question is that Mufti sahab was giving argument that A men can perform second shadi without leting inform to his first wife.He has this right according to Islamic point of view (this is what mufti sahab was saying with giving logics regarding islam) while other women's in this program was neglecting this from Mufti sahab.All are muslims present there and having different perceptions.(horrible)isnt it?? As for as my personal point of view a man cannot do marry without informing his first wife.He must take allow from his first wife to marry wid another.. Please answer my question that a man can do second marriage without informing his first wife or not.. JazakAllah.

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Answer:

Can man get married without informing his first wife 

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 3: 

And if you be apprehensive that you will not be able to do justice to the orphans,  you may marry two,  or three, or four women whom you choose.   But if you apprehend that you might not be able to do justice to them,  then marry only one wife;  or marry those women who have fallen in your possession.   This will be the better course to avoid injustice.

Allah Subhanah, Who created everything in existence and bestowed on each its nature, Knows best the weaknesses and inclinations and the nature of each in His creation. Because in its inherent nature man has been created polygamous, when one amongst them who is already married chooses to exercise his option and decides to marry again, there is very little one can do to change his mind.  Thus the man who has absolutely made up his mind and desires another woman in addition to his wife, he is left with three basic options:

1.    Form an illicit and secret unlawful relationship with the other woman,

2.    Divorce and leave the first wife and marry the other, or

3.    Keep the first wife, and marry the other as his second wife.

A believer who wishes to exercise his lawful option of taking a second wife must indeed inform the new wife that he is already married, but there is absolutely no stipulation, condition, or restriction in Shariah Law that a believer who is already married and wishes to take on a second wife, must seek or have the prior permission of the first wife.  The one and only condition Islam lays upon the believer who wishes to exercise his lawful option of practicing polygamy, is to make sure that he does justice amongst his wives with his allocation of time and resources towards them.

Regardless of whether the husband chooses to inform his first wife prior to taking on a second wife or not, provided all the obligatory conditions of a ‘nikaah’ are fulfilled, his second marriage will be absolutely lawful in the Sight of Shariah Law and of Allah Subhanah.

Your Statement: ...As for as my personal point of view a man cannot do marry without informing his first wife.He must take allow from his first wife to marry wid another..

Respected brother, Shariah Laws are not based on 'personal' views and opinions, but rather on the Guidance of the Glorious Quran and the authentic and establshed Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

We absolutely assure you that there is nothing in the Glorious Quran or the Sunnah which requires a believer who is already married to seek the permission of his first wife before he lawfully marries another woman as his second wife.  And when Allah and His Messenger (saws) have not stipulated a condition, one cannot invent and place a condition based on their 'personal' views or opinions!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 36:

It does not behove a believing man and a believing woman that when Allah and His Messenger have given their decision in a matter, they should exercise an option in that matter of theirs.  For whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger,  has indeed strayed into manifest error.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

Burhan