How can one act regarding the first wife's insistence on divorce and her demand that the husband choose between her and the second wife, knowing that the second wife has recently embraced Islam and has not yet informed her family of her marriage and conversion?
A woman is not permitted to seek a divorce without a legitimate Shar'i reason, and a man marrying a second wife is not a legitimate Shar'i reason. A woman is not permitted to ask for her sister's divorce. A woman remaining married to her husband is not an injustice to the first wife, and she has the right to maintenance, overnight stay, and fair treatment. A woman should not preoccupy herself with the actions of her co-wife. Among the conditions for the validity of marriage are the presence of a guardian (wali) and witnesses. If the marriage takes place with the permission of the guardian and witnesses, it is valid, and the family's unawareness does not affect its validity. If a woman does not have a Muslim guardian, she may appoint someone to act as her guardian for marriage. If the marriage takes place without a guardian, it is invalid and must be annulled, and the contract can be renewed in a lawful manner. A woman must adhere to the hijab and learn what is necessary for her to perform her acts of worship, and these matters should not be dependent on the continuation of the marriage.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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