A Wife’s Permission for Her Husband to Marry and Refusing a Suitable Suitor

The questioner:
This questioner says: A woman gave her husband permission to marry another woman. Does she commit a sin? And if she asks him for permission to go out, he does not give her an answer. Does a woman commit a sin if she refuses a proposal without a valid legal excuse?

The Shaykh:
If her husband gives her permission to marry, there is no blame on her. Is it from the perspective of good treatment and tolerance? She does not have to give permission; it is not obligatory for him to seek her permission. He may have four wives; he may marry the second, third, and fourth without her permission; it is not required. But if she allows it and delays this, it is a virtue on her part and good from the perspective of tolerance, from the perspective of pleasing him so that he may proceed and marry with a clear conscience. Otherwise, if he marries without her permission, even without her consent, there is no blame on him, because Allah, Exalted and Majestic is He, said: . Allah commanded that a man may marry two, three, or four. If he is able, has wealth, and has the capacity to be just among them, this is better for him; because of the chastity it brings for women. Four women are chaste, and he provides for them, and he is chaste himself as well. It is also a cause for the increase of children and the increase of the community. But if she allows him despite that, there is no harm for him. This is from the perspective of pleasing souls, from the perspective of good treatment, and from the perspective of tolerance. She is to be thanked for this if she does it. She is to be thanked for this. Yes.

The questioner:
Completion of the question. May Allah reward you with good. She asks: Does a woman commit a sin if she refuses a proposal without a valid legal excuse?

The Shaykh:
She knows about herself. If there is a defect in her, she knows about herself. And if there is no defect in her, she should not refuse the proposal. The hadith says, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . The point is that if the suitor is suitable and there is no defect in her, she should accept him.
Because marriage brings chastity, many benefits, offspring, and cooperation in righteousness and piety. There are many benefits in marriage. Unless there is a defect in her that she knows prevents her from marriage, or internal reasons she does not want anyone to know about, and it does not harm her, and she does not fear zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), and she does not fear the search, there is no blame. She knows herself best. If there is a legal barrier, she knows herself best. Otherwise, do not refuse the proposal. If a proposal comes, do not refuse it.

The presenter:
We heard, may Allah reward us.