Q: Is it mandatory to seek prior permission from the first wife for second marriage in Islam.
A: Thought it is not a precondition for the validity of the nikaah with the second wife that the husband informs his first wife of the nikaah, however we totally discourage performing secret nikaahs as this leads to creating suspicion in the minds of people regarding the man and woman whose nikaah has not been publicized as well as creating a lot of confusion and complications in many masaail i.e. the husband not being able to maintain equality between the wives in regard to their night turns, wealth and other aspects, laws of inheritance in the case of death, etc.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)