Marriage
Marrying a Second Wife Without Informing the First
Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan explains that a first wife cannot prevent her husband from marrying again nor can she make it a condition to be informed. The key requirement is justice, and the husband must treat all wives equally regardless of whether the first wife knows.
Questioner:
What is the ruling on marrying secretly without the first wife knowing?
Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān:
She has no connection [authority]. The [first] wife has no authority to prevent her husband [from marrying] or to make it a condition upon him that she is told [about a second marriage]. She should not make such a condition. The important factor [in polygamy] is justice. The husband is obliged to treat [all] his wives equally, whether the first wife knows [about the second] or not.
