The United Arab Emirates and Dubai – is it possible to have multiple wives?

Polygamy in the United Arab Emirates

Polygamy in the United Arab Emirates is not unusual, although it arouses great interest among Western observers. Muslim law allows a man to have up to four wives, provided that he can treat them fairly. This means that all wives must be treated equally, receiving separate housing (if they so desire), similar financial support, and other luxury goods that a woman would receive, such as jewelry or a car. When buying a car for one wife, a man should ensure that the other receives a gift of comparable value.

Some married Emiratis pay no attention to Western stereotypes; for them, marrying another wife is a natural part of life, deeply rooted in tradition and culture. However, this does not mean that every woman feels comfortable with this. It is not uncommon for a woman's life to be turned upside down when she discovers that her husband has entered into another marriage without her knowledge. Sometimes the husband enters into a new relationship, explaining, “I love my first wife, but I also need a second wife.”

Legal rules for foreigners in Dubai

Foreigners visiting or living in Dubai must remember that they are subject to local law. Marriage in the Emirates requires acceptance of Islamic rules, although there are exceptions for people of other faiths.

For foreign women, especially if their husband has been married before, the situation can be complicated. The relationship of one man with several women may be difficult for a European or American woman to accept. It is worth adding that for many women raised in Arab culture, polygamy is a normal phenomenon and often seen as a natural part of family life, although it is also controversial and a source of conflict.

It is also important to note that foreigners cannot include anything in their marriage contracts that is contrary to local law. Although various things can be stipulated, ultimately Muslim law takes precedence over personal agreements. This means that even a well-prepared agreement does not fully guarantee the protection of interests if it conflicts with Sharia law. Therefore, many lawyers advise foreigners to consult a family law specialist before getting married in the Emirates to avoid disappointment and misunderstandings later on.

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Religion and marriage in the Emirates

Islam regulates most aspects of family life in the Emirates. It is religion that determines what a marriage looks like, what its rights are, and who has custody of the children. In the event of a divorce, children stay with their mother only up to a certain age - ultimately, however, custody automatically falls to the father.

Interestingly, religion does not require the tradition of wearing wedding rings, which are a symbol of marriage in the West. Here, it is more important to follow the rules of fair treatment. Spouses should be treated equally, both in terms of daily expenses and larger purchases. If one of them receives a car, the other should receive a gift of comparable value.
Islam also assumes that a husband cannot be guided solely by his sexual urges, but should also respect his wife's sexual urges. Although this sounds idealistic, statistics show that in practice it is completely different.

Do marriages in Dubai have to be registered?

Yes, every marriage must be formally registered. Without this, it is not possible to formally separate or claim rights. A relationship entered into outside of local law is invalid and does not provide legal protection. Western girls often believe in a romantic vision of an Arab relationship, but its future depends on the legal system. In practice, a husband can take another wife, and a wife has no right to scare her husband away with threats or jealousy. This makes many foreign women, not knowing their future spouse and his background, unable to trust their fiancé's character.

Polygamy and everyday life

From a European perspective, it is difficult to understand that for many women in the Emirates, it is normal to live in the shadow of a second wife or co-wife. This often means living in the mother-in-law's house, sharing time and responsibilities. It happens that a woman who was clearly interested in a man's flirtation, in her new role as a wife, begins to understand the burden of everyday life.

Sometimes, the husband's image in the eyes of his wife changes dramatically - over time, it turns out that her fiancé's character cannot always be trusted, and her knowledge of the realities of polygamy was too superficial. Many foreign women experience disappointment because instead of a fairy-tale vision of an Arab romance, they are faced with the harsh reality of having to compete for their husband's attention and deal with the strong family ties of his clan.

Some men admit outright: “I didn't want to lie to my wife, but I had to.” This shows that, in addition to religion and law, ordinary human psychology also comes into play. There is a conflict here between the ideal and the practical. Between the desire for love and the need to obey the rules that have shaped social life in the region for generations. For many women, this clash can be painful, as they learn that feelings do not always take precedence over tradition and duty.

The social image of polygamy

Although the subject is controversial, it should not be forgotten that for many people it is part of their culture. Private harems still exist in the Emirates - harems that stimulate the imagination - but in practice they are more like complicated family arrangements. There are women who try to calmly forget that their husband has decided to remarry. Others fight for themselves, trying to change the perception of the relationship and point out the man's faults.

Questions and answers

1. Can you have multiple wives in Dubai?

Yes, in Dubai, according to Islamic law, a Muslim man can have up to four wives, provided that he treats each of them equally and provides for them. However, foreigners are subject to the laws of their own legal systems, so polygamy is not always recognized outside the UAE.

2. Can foreigners have more than one wife in Dubai?

Non-Muslim foreigners cannot have more than one wife in Dubai because their marriages are subject to the laws of their countries of origin, which usually prohibit polygamy. The exception is Muslims from other countries, for whom Sharia law in the UAE allows them to have several wives.

3. How does Sharia law affect marriage in Dubai?

In Dubai, Sharia law governs matters related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance, with religious provisions taking precedence over individual agreements between the parties. According to Sharia law, Muslims may marry according to Islamic principles, and a man has the right to have several wives if he meets certain requirements. In the case of foreigners, there are also situations in which family law is considered on the basis of Sharia, especially when one of the parties is Muslim.

4. What are the legal restrictions on polygamy in the Emirates?

In the Emirates, polygamy is only permitted for Muslims and is limited to a maximum of four wives. However, a man must ensure that each of them is treated equally and provided with adequate material conditions, otherwise he may be considered to be in violation of Sharia law. For non-Muslims, polygamy is not legally recognized.