Deoband Advises Muslims Against Second Marriage

Muzaffarnagar , Islam on Rise April 13 2012:

Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has appealed to Muslims not to marry for the second time since it is hard to provide “equal justice” to two wives in “Indian custom”.

“It is hard to provide equal justice to two wives in Indian custom,” it said, replying to a query by a person who wanted to marry a second time while his first wife was alive.

“Though Islam permits two wives at the same time, Indian tradition does not allow it,” the seminary said.

Moreover, the husband generally cannot do justice and cannot maintain equality between the two wives.

Hence, he may have only one wife as the Quran has said. You should discard the idea of a second marriage, otherwise you will feel sorry,” the Darul Ifta said.

Often girls from poor families would stay unmarried because of financial constraint. So, rich men were allowed to marry up to four times. But times have changed. Now Muslims are conscious about their economic condition and act accordingly

President of Uttar Pradesh Imam Organisation, Mufti Zulfikar said though Islam allows for second marriage on the condition that the husband ensures equal maintenance, “it is difficult to provide same treatment to both women”.