![]() |
Zaid Alsalami,
Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from ANU, Canberra. He has written and translated several Islamic texts and also prepared educational videos on Islamic rulings and practices. 250 Answers
|
|
![]() |
Mahmood Abu Maryam,
Trying to make sense of it all... 46 Answers
|
Passed |
![]() |
Zeinab Donati,
Zeinab Donati has been studying books about various Islamic subjects for more than 19 years. She is deeply interested in history and politics as well as social issues in particular those pertaining to women. 25 Answers
|
Passed |
![]() |
Ayub Rashid,
Shaykh Ayub Rashid is a graduate of the Islamic Seminary of Qom, Iran. He has a BA in Islamic law and MA in Islam and Community Studies from the UK and is also a qualified Muslim Chaplain from the Markfield Institute of Higher Education in Leicester. No Answers
|
Passed |
![]() |
Amina Inloes,
Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the Islamic College in London and also the Managing Editor of the Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies. 347 Answers
|
Passed |
![]() |
Abbas Di Palma,
Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in London, Damascus and Qom and taught for different institutions in Italy and UK. 206 Answers
|
Passed |
![]() |
Syed Nabi Raza Abidi,
Syed Nabi Raza Abidi is based in the US and has a PhD in Theology and Philosophy having attended Howzah in Iran for several years. His research was conducted under the guidance of Ayatollah Ja'far Subhani. He has also taught various subjects such as Usul, Fiqh, Philosophy, and Tafseer in different Islamic schools. 3 Answers
|
Passed |
![]() |
Abolfazl Sabouri,
Abolfazl Sabouri is based in New Zealand and has an MA in Jurisprudence and Islamic Studies. He is a graduate of Elmiyeh seminary in Qom with more than 15 years of study and research where he has also taught Tafsir, Theology and Jurisprudence. 39 Answers
|
Passed |
![]() |
Masuma Jaffer,
Dr Masuma Jaffer is a qualified dentist, with a Masters in Islamic Studies and has also attended Hawza in Qum. She obtained a PGCE - teaching qualification – and has taught Hawza studies at the Islamic College in London. She also has a Diploma in Counselling and is a Qualified Chaplain and worked with women prisoners at Holloway and with Hertfordshire Police advising them on Muslim matters. 10 Answers
|
Passed |
Bismihi Ta'ala
I would like to firstly address this issue in point form:
1. Marriage and spousal relationships falls within Islamic Shari'ah, given to us by Almighty God, and the details of which are in our Fiqh.
2. Marriage in Islam is something recommended, but if one was to fall into sin, marriage would become obligatory upon them.
3. It is important to distinctively distinguish between the jurisprudential laws of marriage, and the social, moral and spiritual dimensions of marriage and a relationship.
4. The entity of marriage is sacred, based not only on certain rights, but also on moral obligations and commitments.
5. Anything that disrupts the harmony of this entity must be avoided.
Secondly, there are a variety of issues that are related to this seemingly simple question. Our social duties are not easily dealt with, and nor should we look at Islamic laws in abstract form, or just black and white.
Yes, from a fiqhi perspective, as a ruling, a husband does not need the shar'i consent of his wife, but that is not because Islam aims at belittling the status of the wife, or seeing her feelings to be of no value.
Like other religions, Islam permits a man to have more than one wife, and this is not something we should shun away from.
We also realise that as Muslims we conform our beliefs and views with Islam, the Quran, and the authentic Sunnah. Not modern norms, or non-Islamic social customs and practices.
Of course, there are many conditions placed for the purpose of regulating marrying multiple wives. Some jurists have added some further conditions. The nature of a man is different to that of a woman, in their physiology, their mentality, and other differences.
A husband must be absolutely just and fair between the wives. In accommodation, in expenses, in food, in time, in expressions. If he cannot do this, then he cannot get married.
Divorce is detested in Islam, and so if the husband is having problems with his, or his wife is sick, or she is in jail, or away from him, then he should not quickly opt for ignoring, mistreating or abandoning her.
Also, we can see in I.R. Iran, that it is required for the husband to have legal consent of the first wife, should he wish to marry a second wife, and this is also on the condition that he has a legitimate reason to marry a second time.
There is also a difference between "getting permission" and "consulting and informing." If she is ok with it, the fine, but if she is not ok with it, as he has the choice to marry, she has the choice to stay, or to get divorced. However, the first wife's consent is not a prerequisite for the husband to remarry. The marriage contract would be "valid," but this does not mean that the husband is doing right as far as his social/moral obligations to his household. This is why such a topic has many dimensions to it.
Also, bear in mind that the wife has the choice of stipulating pre-marital conditions, and one of them is that if the husband wishes to re-marry, the wife has a certain options for her to choose from to ensure her requirements.
It is for these reasons that a husband must focus on the foundations of marriage, and ensure a healthy relationship, based on commitment, loyalty and the best of moral conduct. A man must also commit to avoid pursuing his sensual lusts outside of his household, for the sake of preserving the relationship. Just because it is permissible, does not mean that he needs to perform it, especially if it will destroy the entity of his marriage and family life.
It is for the wife to also create a positive productive atmosphere in the household so that the relationship continues to flourish and each stay strong with each other.
Wassalam