Domestic Issues and Their Solutions — Page 169
169 ‘ Even if you should feel the need of more than one’ is a very meaningful statement. The Judge and Arbiter of this age has decided that your need, under which pretext you wish to marry again is not of real significance. The main thing is societal peace and justice. These days complaints fr om some place or the other are received that in spite of having a family the husband wants to marry again on various pretexts. First of all it is stated that if you cannot be fair do not take a second wife. And fairness includes fulfilment of every kind of right. If one’s income is not enough to run a household then by taking on the liability of a second marriage, one would be usurping the rights of the first wife and children. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has said in one place that in the event when one has to take a second wife due to some inevitability the first wife should be cared for more than before. (Adapted from Malfuzat, Vol. III, p. 430, published in Rabwah) However, what we see practised in society these days is gradual erosion of the rights of the first wife and her children which , is against the commandment of Allah the Exalted. Therefore it should be evaluated if there is any discrepancy between one’s financial ease and discharging rights of others! The Promised Messiah (on whom be p eace) said: ‘According to me it is preferable that one does not