Wants A Second Wife while Living Abroad Fatwa No: 84985
- Fatwa Date:9-10-2002
I am currently married but live in a non-Muslim country, as I have to study. My spouse is in her home country as I am unable to bring her due to immigration and financial obstacles. Also, she will not be able to cope with living in a non-Muslim country. I wish to marry another wife but no woman is interested in marrying a man who already has a wife even though that wife lives abroad. Please advise me what to do.
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
No doubt that people who live in the West face great sins and encounter much temptation. So, those who have the necessary amenities for life in the country where they live should not emigrate unless they are compelled to emigrate to the land of the Non-muslims. The inquirer should leave that country and emigrate to a Muslim land.
Anyway, the Muslim is ordered to remain chaste and never have any relation outside wedlock. If he does not have the ability to do so, then he should occupy his time by fasting and performing other forms of worship as much as possible. He can occupy himself with seeking beneficial knowledge and indulging in mental activity that preoccupy him from thinking about women.
Allah knows best.