Equality Between Wives

QUESTION:

A man has two wives. He spends his nights equally with each but his days are mostly spent with one of the wives. While I understand that only the nights have to be equal, it doesn’t seem fair that this equality is not found in all aspects. Please advise.

ANSWER:

In principle, equality is the benchmark in Shar’iah between the wives. Hence, it is the duty of the husband that he should be equal in spending money, clothing and nights.

If the husband wishes to spend more time in the day with a certain wife, then it is permissible, as one cannot control the feelings and love within one’s heart. However, it will be best to try and be as fair as possible between the two wives in order to avoid conflict.

وَلَنْ تَسْتَطِيعُوا أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ النِّساءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْ تمام العدل أن يسوي بينهن بالقسمة والنفقة والتعهد والنظر والإقبال، والمكالمة والمفاكهة والجماع وغيرها، وهذا كله غير مستطاع للإنسان مهما كان حريصا في تحري ذلك، ولذلك فرض الله العدل في النفقة والكسوة والمبيت، ولم يفرض فيما سوى ذلك (الأساس في التفسير ص1195 ج2)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 27 Dhul Qa’dah 1447/ 14 May 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb