A man died and left behind a wife and children, and after his death, the wife and family learned that he had been married to another woman for several years without the first wife’s knowledge

The questioner : In her second question, she says, O honorable Shaykh, a man died and left behind a wife and children, and after his death, the wife and family learned that he had been married to another woman for several years without the first wife’s and the children’s knowledge. Does the deceased commit a sin by concealing the news of his marriage from his family? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : The deceased does not commit a sin by concealing his marriage to the woman, but it is obligatory to announce the marriage because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded it. If the marriage was announced, for example, if it was a marriage in another village and was announced in that village, then that is sufficient, even if he concealed it from his family and his first wife.
As for advising to conceal the other marriage, that is contrary to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded. In fact, some scholars said that it invalidates the marriage if one advises to conceal it, but the correct view is that it does not invalidate it; rather, it is contrary to the Sunnah. Yes.