The Wisdom Behind Plural Marriage

Question:
In this episode, there is one remaining issue. The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah guide you, when a husband marries another woman, certain things happen on the part of the first wife. Perhaps she demands a divorce and quarrels with her husband, and enmity arises between her and her co-wife. In some cases, this extends throughout the entire duration of the marriage, and perhaps each of them wishes to be rid of the second wife. Is this considered a deficiency in the husband's rights? And does she commit a sin? We seek a guiding word and advice on this matter. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows, Allah has permitted the Muslim to marry up to four wives. Allah the Exalted said: This is a matter that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, has made permissible for great benefits and profound wisdom. Its benefits for the Muslims are not hidden; it has many benefits for both spouses that are not hidden from one who reflects on the secrets of legislation and the realities of circumstances. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, is Wise in His legislation and His command. He does not legislate anything except that it contains benefits for the servants, and He does not prohibit anything except that it contains harms for the servants. Among the legislation that contains great benefits is plural marriage for men and women. In fact, its benefit for women may be greater, so that women do not remain unmarried and become widows, and so that they do not suffer great harm from the lack of marriage, the absence of husbands and righteous families, and the provision and fulfillment of the wife's rights. If plural marriage were abandoned and every man were limited to one wife, many harms would occur. It is well known that women are generally more numerous than men in societies, so many women would be left without marriage. Therefore, Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, legislated plural marriage. However, it is obligatory for the husband who has more than one wife to fear Allah and to be just between them in what Allah has made justice obligatory in, such as lodging, clothing, housing, and financial maintenance. He must also not lean toward one of them over the other. It was reported in the hadith: Therefore, he must be just. Allah the Exalted said: The justice intended here is the justice that a person is able to achieve, which is what we mentioned. It is obligatory for the woman to fear Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. If her husband marries another woman, she should consider this to be one of his rights and something Allah has permitted him. She must demand her rights if he shortchanges her in any of them; if he does, she should demand her rights. However, if he has fulfilled what is required of him, she has no right to disturb him or make things difficult for him, because this is one of his rights that Allah has permitted and legislated for him. She has no right to object to it. If she opposes this and causes him distress without reason, she is being unjust and transgressing. She should fear Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. If she has jealousy and competition, this is a natural thing that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, created in her, but it should not lead her to transgression, injustice, or harassing her husband without right. Yes.