Taking a second wife

Q: Is it permissible for me to take another wife?

My wife fell pregnant after 16 years with twins and thereafter a 3rd child. Since then she has been living at her parent's home which is already 2 years now. I understand that in the initial stages it was very difficult but now they have grown up so it is a little easier. I am very depressed at home as I really miss my wife and children around me. I live with my parents, but we have totally seperate quarters.

My wife always made excuses that she cant manage on her own. I am prepared to get a domestic worker to assist her with house chores and my parents are also prepared to help.

My parents dont see their long awaited grandchildren for many many months. I always travel on the weekends to visit my children but I really miss them when I am back home. Its really lonely without a wife and children for so long and heartbreaking to leave them. I also became a father after 16 years but have never seen the milestones of my children and how they grew up. Sometimes I actually cry myself off to sleep thinking about my children. My mother always cries and pines for her grandchildren which she was so excited for. I also admire other women who gave birth and returned home and can make an effort to manage. I always wonder how mums with twins managed on their own? My wife did come home for a week when the children were smaller but claimed the house is too small for 3 kids and she can't manage.

Will it be permissible for me to make a second nikah without informing my wife as I dont know how long more she intends staying at her parents house as I am very lonely and depressed.

Consideration when constructing a Musjid

Q: I am in a society where almost 90% are Muslims. The builder has used full FSI. My neighbor has a garden space which can be used as garden. No construction is possible there legally, but my neighbour constructed only ground floor with tin roof 3 years ago. Last year, he made his mind to build double storey (Ground+1) masjid although we have five masjids in the Radiohead of one kilometre. The masjid never gets filled except on jumma or in Ramzan. So the construction of double storey masjid (Ground+1) was not necessary.

My flat is at 3rd floor, and the Ground + 1 masjid will not pose me any difficulty, so I didn't objected. As the construction was going on they changed their plan and constructed Ground+2 floors. I objected and put an application in the society office to stop the construction due to which my personal privacy is affected and the outside view as well as the chances of robbery will affect us badly as the masjid is (which is not still waqf(not dedicated to the Muslim Ummah)) an inch away from my window. We tried to settle the matter amicably but they didn't act as per settled matter. But they were trying to buy the time. I was compelled by the circumstances to register my complaint with the Municipal Corporation authorities. They came to the site visit and issued stop construction notice, but the owner refused to accept it . They pasted it on the wall and took photographs of the illegal structure. They have replied me that they have no available police protection to demolish the above mentioned masjid. Since last year I'm not pursuing the matter with the authorities in a hope to prevail the good sense to the defaulter to settle the case and to protect our concern.

I request you that the defaulter who was society chairman entrusted to stop any illegal construction activity or anything adverse as per society laws but he compromised with his position and he himself broke the law and as our neighbour he posed us in a very awkward position and played with our privacy.

I request you to suggest us is it legal to break the rule of the land and construct masjid when it's need is not necessary? Can masjid be built which pose lot of hindrance to its neighbour just like me and expose my flat to thief's for robbery without any hardship? Is the defaulter right or are we on the fault to fight for our rights against oppressor? Your valuable decision is awaited. I request you to please give the references and fatwa if any pertaining to whatever decisions you take.

Explanation of a Hadith

Q: Please explain this hadith. This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Abu Huraira (radhiyallahu anhu) and in the hadith transmitted on the authority of Ibn Hatim Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: When any one of you fights with his brother, he should avoid his face for Allah created Adam in His own image.

حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُثَنَّى، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ، حَاتِمٍ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، عَنِ الْمُثَنَّى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَفِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ حَاتِمٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِذَا قَاتَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخَاهُ فَلْيَجْتَنِبِ الْوَجْهَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2612 e In-book reference: Book 45, Hadith 152 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 32, Hadith 6325

Jealous sisters in law

Q: I would please appreciate some advice on some issues I have been having with in laws. I am married for 6 years. Alhamdulillah my husband and I are happy. We have been blessed with 2 beautiful children. We live opposite my in laws. Allah has blessed us with a comfortable house perfect for us.

I have 2-sister in laws, one divorced with a child and one unmarried still living with my in laws. It seems ever since we moved in opposite, its been a big competition. From what I have in the house to the way I dress to everything I do. They feel the need to out do me and be better. I really did not let it bother me at first. It is not so much my mother in law and father In law but more so the 2 big daughters still living at home that seem to have a big influence on everyone and they try to turn everyone against me.

I noticed recently that my mother in law is begging me to despite me and I don't feel comfortable being around them. I was never able to work with my mother in law in the kitchen because of the 2 sisters still living there. They did not give me a chance and always worked against me and not with me. So I do everything in my home and my space. Almost as if they jealous of me. Which makes me sad. But I know Allah helps me get through. I don't talk to my husband about it as it just causes unnecessary problems.

I just wanted some advice or duas for me to be able to deal with this situation as it is stealing my peace of mind. Any other advice for me would be much appreciatted. What is the islamic view on this. The women is the queen of her home and everyday I just try the best I can. Also what is the duty of daughter in law in terms of Islam.

Wife not practising Islam

Q: I want to ask if a man embraced Islam for almost 13 years and his wife also and children embraced but his wife and children don't want to perform salah and other obligations of a Islam. His childrena ages are 20 years and above. What should he do? Is it right to divorce her?

Wearing suede shoes

Q: This might sound like an odd question but I was looking at some shoes and read that they were made off suede. I know that wearing pigskin is not permissible so I emailed the company that was making them (Louboutins) and they replied with saying that none of their shoes were made of pigskin but I am still wondering if I am able to wear them.

Breaking a qadha fast

Q: I know that we can break a nafl fast if there is an 'uzr (excuse). For myself as a diabetic, I assume that an 'uzr could be when I get very low blood sugar values which makes life difficult for me if I don't eat.

1. Is it also permissible to break a qada fast if you have an uzr?

2. If so, would you have to make one or two qadas? (i.e. do you have to make up the original fast as well as the qada fast that you broke, or only the original fast?)