Domestic Issues and Their Solutions — Page 166
166 senti ments of the first wife, one should do so. However, if there is a need which is permissible in Shariah to take a second wife then one may go ahead. In such circumstances, usually the first wives give permission. In summary, men should make sacrifice for th e sake of the sentiments of the first wife apart from in matters of extreme necessity. S econd wives should not be taken out of eagerness. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said: ‘I openly set forth what I have learned from God Almighty. The reason wh y the Holy Qur’ a n permits more than one wife is that you earn the pleasure of God by holding fast to righteousness and by other means such as begetting pious offspring, looking after the near of kin and fulfilling the obligations owed to them. For the achi evement of this purpose , marriage is permitted with as many as four women at one time, but if you feel that you may not be able to maintain equality between them you should confine yourselves to one wife, as in such cases marrying more than one would be di sobedience and a cause of incurring punishment from Allah rather than the reward of Allah and you would be committing other sins due to your aversion to one sin. ’ The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also said: