Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

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:

Dear Brother Burhan,

Assalam Alaikum

I got married for the second time with a new Muslim since her parents were Non-Muslim and I know this new Muslim since 8 years. When I got married for the first time then the new Muslim told to my first wife that she was also expecting to marry me from past 2 to 3 years. I would like to inform that I had proposed that new Muslim from my side to marry me. I want to support her fully and that's the reason I got married. But my First wife questions my second wife that how can you expect to marry a married person. And also my first wife asks/request my second wife to give divorce.

When I read the below mail saying that if we help a Muslim to another Muslim then the reward from Allah is so and so. Then what will be the reward for me to marry second time with a new Muslim and what will be the reward to my first wife in this case.  

My question

Is it Haraam to expect any female Muslim to marry a married man?

Can my first wife ask my second wife for divorce?

How should my first wife react with my second wife?

What Quran and Hades tell in this situation for my first & second wife in spite of fighting both?

Please answer my above requested questions so that I can show/explain to my both wife's. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Issue with two wives

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: ….Is it Haraam to expect any female Muslim to marry a married man?

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

3 If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them) then only one or (a captive) that your right hands possess. That will be more suitable to prevent you from doing injustice.

As long as the man a believing or eligible woman seeks to marry does not already have four wives, she is well within her rights in Islam to seek to lawfully marry him.

Your Question:……Can my first wife ask my second wife for divorce?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.598 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "No woman should ask for the divorce of her sister (Muslim) so as to take her place, but she should marry the man (without compelling him to divorce his other wife), for she will have nothing but what Allah has written for her."

It is categorically prohibited and absolutely unlawful in Islam for either the first wife to force or coerce her husband to divorce his second wife, or for the second wife to force or coerce her husband to divorce his first wife.

If the first wife for any reason whatsoever cannot bring herself to accept that her husband has taken another wife, she is obviously well within her rights in Islam to separate herself from her marriage by initiating a divorce….but she has absolutely no right to demand, or force, or coerce her husband to divorce the other wife.

Your Question: How should my first wife react with my second wife?

Sahih Muslim Hadith 6759 Narrated by Aisha

Aisha said: ‘One day Allah's Messenger (saws) went out of her (Aisha's apartment) during the night (to meet one of his other wives) and she (Aisha) felt jealous. Then he (saws) came and he (saws) saw me (in what agitated state of mind) I was. He (saws) said: ‘O Aisha, what has happened to you? Do you feel jealous?’ Thereupon she said: ‘How can it be (that a woman like me) should not feel jealous in regard to a husband like you?’ Thereupon Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘It was your Shaytaan who had come to you’, and she said: ‘O Allah's Messenger (saws), is there along with me a Shaytaan?’ He (saws) said: ‘Yes.’ I asked: ‘Is a Shaytaan attached to everyone?’ He (saws) said: ‘Yes.’ I (Aisha) again said: ‘O Allah's Messenger (saws), is it (a Shaytaan) with you also?’ He (saws) replied: ‘Yes, but my Lord has helped me against him as such I am absolutely safe from his mischief.’

It is only natural that if a man has more than one wife, the Shaytaan would inspire them to be jealous of one another…and some jealousy amongst the wives should only be expected.

The multiple wives of a person have absolutely no duties or responsibilities towards one another in Shariah, thus at best and if possible they may develop and maintain cordial relationships with the other wives of their husband; and at worst they are well within their rights to remain absolutely indifferent towards them…..but at all times, all parties should fear Allah Subahanh and strive their absolute utmost to remain within the prescribed Boundaries of their Lord.

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