🤝 Existing wife & prospective wife · #64
Before marriage my husband promised he would never take another wife, but now he has. What are my rights?
A verbal promise does not make the second marriage invalid, but breaking a promise is a sin and destroys trust; if the promise was recorded as a taʿliq or written condition, you may have a right to seek divorce in court.
Allah commands that promises be kept, for they will be asked about (al-Isra' 17:34), and the Prophet ﷺ said that the conditions most deserving of fulfilment are those in marriage (Sahih al-Bukhari 2721). Steps: check your taʿliq certificate and any written agreement; get advice from a Syariah lawyer on a taʿliq divorce or fasakh; and if the polygamy application is still pending, the wife may be heard by the court. Without written proof, you can still express your disappointment, demand fairness and, if you cannot bear it, apply for divorce. See the question on a no-polygamy condition.
Allah commands that promises be kept, for they will be asked about (al-Isra' 17:34), and the Prophet ﷺ said that the conditions most deserving of fulfilment are those in marriage (Sahih al-Bukhari 2721). Steps: check your taʿliq certificate and any written agreement; get advice from a Syariah lawyer on a taʿliq divorce or fasakh; and if the polygamy application is still pending, the wife may be heard by the court. Without written proof, you can still express your disappointment, demand fairness and, if you cannot bear it, apply for divorce. See the question on a no-polygamy condition.