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Fatwa CenterWife does not take care of husband's children by previous marriage
Question
I married a second wife from my country and who agreed when I married her to look after my 3 kids from a previous marriage, but now she is not doing what she agreed to do. I must say she does every thing a wife should with her husband, but not for my children. We have two lovely daughters from her and third is coming. My plan is send my wife back home without her knowledge.
Answer
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.
A wife is not responsible to bring up her husband's children from another wife; however, if the husband stipulates such a condition at the time of the marriage contract and the wife agrees to it, then she is obliged to fulfill the condition since it is not contrary to the purpose of marriage. Those conditions that are not contrary to the purpose of marriage should be fulfilled for the Hadeeth of the Prophet “Muslim are bound by their conditions”.
Therefore, this woman should fulfill the conditions that she has agreed and should obey her husband to keep good marital relations.
On the other hand, failure of a wife to fulfill some of her obligations does not justify a husband to mistreat her since a mistake is not corrected by another mistake. Yet, a husband, in this case, should guide her, exhort her and remind her of Allah, then if she takes heed and gives up the unpleasant practices, then this is good; otherwise, he is allowed to take a suitable action that could discipline her such as deserting her in bed or beating her lightly without harming her, if it is useful.
However, sending her away to her country without her knowledge is not an Islamically approved solution.
Allah Says (what means): {… As to those women on whose part you see ill conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful), …} [Quran 4: 34]. Allah also Says (what means): {…, after that, either you retain her on reasonable terms or release her with kindness…} [Quran 2: 229].
Allah knows best.
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