Marrying a second wife without taking permission from the first wife

Q: Can someone marry a second wife without taking permission from his first wife according to Islam?

A: It is not a precondition for the validity of the second nikaah that the husband seek permission from his first wife. However, we totally discourage secret nikaahs as this leads to a lot of complications coming about in many masaail (e.g. maintaining equality between the wives in regard to wealth, their night turns, distribution of inheritance after death etc.). Similarly, this leads to suspicion and doubts being created in the minds of people regarding the man and woman whose nikaah has not been publicized.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)