🤝 Existing wife & prospective wife · #2

May the prospective second wife ask the man to divorce his first wife first?

No — the Prophet ﷺ forbade a woman to ask for her sister's (co-wife's) divorce so that she might take her place. In an authentic hadith, he said that it is not lawful for a woman to ask for her sister's divorce in order to 'empty her plate', for she will only receive what has been decreed for her. This prohibition also applies to an existing wife who presses her husband to divorce a new wife without a Shariah reason. If there is real injustice, the right route is the court, counselling or claiming one's own rights — not demanding that someone else be divorced. Respect other people's marriages as you want your own marriage respected.

Sources

Sahih al-Bukhari 5152Surah an-Nisa' 4:32

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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