When Hz. Ali wanted to marry another woman while he was still married to Hz. Fatima, the Prophet said, “If he wants to do it, he must divorce my daughter first.” What is the wisdom behind it?
Dear Brother / Sister,
The Prophet (pbuh) did not oppose to polygamy; he expressed his view about his daughter as a father and guardian.
The reason why the Prophet (pbuh) opposed Hz. Ali’s marriage is special. The Prophet’s daughter Fatima opposed her husband Hz. Ali’s marrying another woman. The Prophet did not want his daughter to grieve; therefore, he opposed to such a marriage. (see Bukhari, Nikah, 109, Fadailus-Sahaba 16; Muslim, Fadailus-Sahaba 95-96; Abu Dawud, Nikah, 13; Ibn Majah, Nikah 56; Ahmad b. Hanbal, IV, 376)
Besides, if it were not permissible for Hz. Fatima, who was brought up by the Prophet (pbuh), to object to her husband’s second marriage. The Messenger of Allah would have warned her and ordered her to consent to her husband’s wish. However, it did not happen like that. On the contrary, the Messenger of Allah, who saw that his daughter was sorry, asked Hz. Ali to give up his wish and told him that if he did not give up, he could marry another woman after divorcing Hz. Fatima. He did not consent to Hz. Ali’s second marriage and depressing his daughter.
By considering that act of the Messenger of Allah, it can be stated that Muslim daughters and fathers may object to the second marriage of the son-in-law.
Questions on Islam
- Why did the Prophet (pbuh) marry Hz. Khadijah, who was much older than him? When the Prophet (pbuh) married, he was twenty-five and H. Khadijah was forty. He could have found a younger wife if he had wanted. What factors were important in his choice?
- How old was Aisha (R.A) when she got married to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
- Can a man do second marriage without first wife's permission?
- With the wife's permission is having another woman to fulfill some needs a sin?
- Marrying more than one woman
- Will you give information about Hz. Ali's wives and children? Did Hz. Ali have three sons: Hasan, Husayn and Muhsin? Why do we not see Muhsin in history at all?
- Fatima bint Asad (r.anha)
- How many grandchildren did the Prophet (pbuh) have? Did he have any grandchildren from his children other than Hz. Fatima?
- Is what is told about the marriage of Hz. Umar’s marriage with Hz. Ali’s daughter Umm Kulthum true?
- Will you give information about Hz. Hasan's multiple marriages and divorces?
