Second wife

I have a second wife. Before marriage we were agreed that I will give her a certain amount from my Salary. My question is whether i am still bound for equality in terms of money between the two wives. My second question is that when i realized that i could not be able to do justic

e between the two then i thought that i should give divorce to my 2nd wife. But she refused my this opinion. Then i ask her to write  a statment, that she accept this unjustice of time and will not ask to God on the day of judgment. And i wrote the statement that i will give time whatever easily i could be able to give as i am unable to do justice. We both signed and agreed. Now my question is that will this statement value be vanished if she refuses and demand again for equality?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Shariah has permitted a man to take more than one wife up till four wives at once if he can maintain equality and justice with the wives. If he cannot maintain equality and justice, then it is not permissible to take more than one wife. If he does so, he will be greatly sinful for going against the order of Allah Ta’āla as well as committing in justice. It is clear that a polygamous marriage comes with great responsibility. The various dimensions and responsibilities of a polygamous marriage need to be carefully measured according to one’s personal circumstances before committing to it. One can’t afford making irresponsible mistakes in a marriage as one is dealing with a human being and not a commodity. The respect, dignity and feelings of a woman must be considered. A woman cannot be used to be experimented on and when it does not work out, she is simply discarded.

It is our observation that you did not act responsibly in taking the second wife as you realised you cannot maintain justice with her in time. This should have been thought of before. If it was known you will not maintain justice with her in time, she probably would not have married you. Now you put her in a compromising situation in which she is compelled to accept your injustice. It is like putting a gun on her head which is highly unfair. Fear Allah and the day you will stand before Allah, the Perfect Justice. Nevertheless, hereunder are the answer to your queries:

1. If you increase your second wife’s expenditure then it is necessary that you give your first wife the same amount. It is necessary that you treat them equally.[1]

1. After your second wife gave up her turn (with the husband), if she demands her right again, then it must be given to her. The contract you made with her is null and void.[2]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Saleem Khan

Student Darul Iftaa
Bradford, UK

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

www.daruliftaa.net