Fatwa #4661611 May 2022United States of America
Can I have a second marriage solely for physical pleasure?
Question
Is it permissible to marry someone for the primary reason of physical pleasure ? (knowing the relationship may only last a few months /but could possibly last longer as well). I am happily married but have been proposed marriage by both Muslim and Christian girls (some of whom are willing to forego other husbandly responsibilities like being the financial provider). I already have a wife and kids (the 2nd marriage will not be a secret to my first wife). Is it allowed in the case of Muslims but not Christian ?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Brother, as you are well aware, marriage is an extremely important step in one’s life and a lifelong responsibility. It is a lifetime of commitment in which a long-term relationship is established.
You state you are happily married and have kids. You have also admitted that you are not really looking for a second marriage, rather a way to derive pleasure from another woman without thinking of the consequences of a second marriage.
We ask you to imagine how you would broach such a subject to your wife. Consider your wife’s feelings in this matter. How will you explain to her that you only seek to marry another woman to gratify your sexual desires?
An actual formal second marriage carries many intricacies that need to be considered. What more can be said with regards to a sham marriage designed to simply gratify oneself?
A proper second marriage comes with great challenges. There are more issues than just the issue of equality between both spouses. Unforeseen issues may occur within your current marriage if you take a second wife. As a result, you may not be as happy as you are now. You may end up losing your current wife with whom you have created a pleasant life thus far.
Furthermore, receiving marriage proposals does not necessarily mean one has to accept them, especially if the proposal is also stemming from mere sexual desire. As we stated earlier, marriage is a lifetime commitment that must be taken seriously.
Having said that, if you have a genuine need for a second wife, and you are confident you will be able to fulfil both of their rights, then you should perform Istikhara and consider all angles before coming to a decision.
You may refer to Fatwah #43177 for more information in regard to initiating such marriages that are designed to terminate after a certain period of time.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hasan Ahmed Razzak
Student – Darul Iftaa
Paterson, New Jersey, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
(2020-12-08)