In case some of you non-Muslims are here excitedly to find out how you can also get married to your side-chick, I would like to inform you that sadly for non-Muslims, the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 banned polygamy for non-Muslims.
So, call your side-chick and tell her the bad news.
As for Muslims, you can continue reading because you guys are actually legally allowed to be in a polygamous marriage. I bet the non-Muslims reading this are jealous of how lucky the Muslims are.
Anyway, if you're a Muslim man who has the intention of getting married to a second or third wife, here are 5 of the most important things you have to do, according to Syarie Lawyer and Islamic Legal Consultant, Fahmi Ramli:
#1 Get A Separate House For Each Wife
Yes, more wives mean more expenses, also a house for each wife, keeps the drama away. So, if you want more than 1, wife you got to have the money to do so!
According to Fahmi, each wife needs to have their own home to fulfill the rights of each wife.
#2 Give Them Enough MONEY!
Yes, that's right, just because you got a new wife it doesn't mean that you can not give one of them money! You need to give them all money!
And... you can't just not give them money because the Syariah Court insists that you state how much money you will be giving to your current wife, new wife and also to your children.
So, they will have a record of it and if you don't pay accordingly, your wife can report you!
#3 Create A Spend-The-Night Schedule
If you want to be in a polygamous relationship, then it isn't fair if you only spend the night at one of your wives' houses. So Fahmi suggests you create a schedule of where you will be spending the night at and make sure that your time is divided among each wife equally.
#4 All Properties Must Be Joint Marriage Properties
This just means that any wealth or properties that you acquire while you are wedded polygamously must be declared or recorded as a matrimonial property.
This matrimonial property is not just a contribution in terms of money, but the wife's indirect contribution like giving birth to a child, it can also be counted as a contribution to get the property.
#5 Apply For Polygamy in The Syariah High Court
This is the last but most important thing that you have to do. According to Fahmi, some men get married at the Thai border to avoid the court or first wife to find out.
That is illegal!
Since polygamy is legal, you should take advantage of that benefit and get married legally. Apply for polygamy in the Syariah High Court and state your reasons and capabilities.
#Conclusion
If you want to have more wives, just bear in mind the added responsibility and expenses it could cost. Evaluate your current situation to find out if you can actually afford to have another wife.
