allowed

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. In Islam, it is said that men and women are given equal status and rights. But I do feel that women have not received equal status and rights as that of men. Islam permits polygamy for men. At times of need polygamy is permitted. Can it be accepted by women? But sometimes a man has no need to remarry and still he remarries another woman in spite of the unwillingness of his wife, for he is attracted towards the other woman's beauty. Is this permitted in Islam, as the wife might be hurt a lot? I also have seen many women hurt for their husband's remarrying when there is no need. Islam teaches men to be kind, polite towards their wives and also not to hurt them. But does Islam permit men to hurt their wives when it is the case of polygamy? Did Allah create man in a way that he cannot be loyal to his only wife? Jazakum Allahu khayran.