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Is physical ability a prerequisite for marrying a second wife, and how is it determined? And is a wife entitled to seek divorce if her husband marries another woman?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Physical ability is a condition for marriage, and it is part of the meaning of the Prophet's saying, "Whoever among you can afford to marry, let him do so." The meaning of "al-ba'ah" (afford) is the ability to engage in intercourse and bear the expenses of marriage. The criterion for physical ability is to ensure the wife's chastity, and it does not have a specific number. It is a condition for someone who marries multiple wives that he be able to ensure the chastity of all his wives while observing justice. It is not the wife's right to demand a divorce merely because the husband marries another, but she has the right to demand her rights of a separate home, and justice in overnight stays, sustenance, clothing, and other matters.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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