Question
A man secretly married a second wife without informing his first wife. Now that she has discovered the second marriage, she demands Talaaq. She says to her husband that it is either 'me or her'. The husband had an illicit relationship with the second wife long before the nikah. The first wife is furious because she was not informed of her husband's intention to marry although she was aware of the illicit relationship. Does she have the right to demand Talaaq?
Answer
The first wife has no right to demand Talaaq. A second marriage is not grounds for demanding Talaaq. Of greater concern is the haraam relationship the husband had. Not informing the wife is of little concern. The main thing is his haraam zina relationship. Usually wives tolerate even the zina of their husbands, but not the nikah of their husbands to second wives. This is the reflection of hidden kufr in them.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 28 No 10
- PDF page
- 3