The Acceptance of the First Wife is Not a Condition

Question :

I am a man who has been married for some years and I have a number of children and I am happy in my family life. However, I feel that I am in need of another wife, because I wish to be righteous and one wife is not enough for me, since as a man, I have physical potency which exceeds that of a woman; this is one point. Another point is that I want a woman who possesses certain characteristics which my wife lacks. I do not want to fall into sin, at the same time, I find difficulty in marrying another woman, due to the (years of) companionship (with my first wife) and because my wife in whom I have not seen anything detestable absolutely rejects a second wife. What advice can you give me? And what advice can you give to my wife, in order that she will be convinced? And does she have the right to reject my desire to marry, especially that I will give her all her rights and I have the financial ability all praise and thanks be to Allah to marry? I request a detailed reply, because this matter is very important to many people.

If the matter is as you have described in the question, then it is lawful for you to marry a second, a third and a fourth wife, according to your ability and your need, in order to protect your private parts (from illegal sexual intercourse) and to avert your eyes, as long as you are able to be just, in accordance with the Words of Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful:
"And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice."

and the words of the Prophet:
"O you young men! Those among you who can afford it should marry, for it restrains the eyes (from casting evil glances) and preserves one from immorality; but he who cannot afford it should observe fasting, for it is a means of controlling the sexual desire."

and because it is a means of increasing the population, and it is an objective of Islamic Law to increase the population, and it is called for by it, according to the words of the Prophet :
"Marry productive, loving women, because I will have the largest number of followers on the Day of Resurrection."

What is prescribed for the wife is not to object to this, and to allow you to marry. And it is incumbent upon you to take great care to be absolutely just and to undertake everything which is required of you for them both. All of this is a part of cooperating with one another in virtue, righteousness and piety; and Allah, Most Glorified, Most High has said:
"Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)."

The Prophet said:
"And Allah helps the servant as long as the servant helps his brother".

You are her brother in Allah's religion and she is your sister in Allah's religion, therefore it is prescribed for you both to cooperate in good deeds.

In the authentic Hadith which is narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, it is reported that the Prophet said:
"He who meets the needs of his brother, Allah will meet his needs."

But her acceptance is not a condition for the permissibility of marrying more than one; it is only required of her so that the more harmonious relations continue between you. May Allah improve the situation of all, and (we ask) that He has written for you both the happiest outcome.