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He married someone other than the woman his parents wanted

21-10-1998

Question 2731

I had Nikaah with my cousin in our engagement ceremony.
The actual wedding ceremony was to occur at a later date.
I came to the US and got married to another Muslima without telling my parents. We have been married for 4 months now.
I have informed my parents about it and they are annoyed.
They wanted me to divorce this Muslima and get married to my cousin. But now they are saying that I've to get married to my cousin irrespective of whether I divorce this Muslima or not. But I know I will not be able to treat them equally.
I never touched my cousin, but I've been living with my 2nd wife for 4 months now. What should I do ? Jazak Allah.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

If the wife who is with you now is religious and of good character, then you are not obliged to divorce her. If you are able to treat both wives equally, then respond to your parents request to marry the cousin you mention. This is included in the words of the Quraan (interpretation of the meaning): then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three or four [al-Nisa 4:3]. If you fear that you will not be able to treat them equally and fairly, then be content with one wife, whether it is the first or the second, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly (with them), then [marry] only one [al-Nisa 4:3]. Try in all cases to please your parents. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Fiqh of the family Honouring Parents
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