Equality between wives
Question
If I marry a second wife while I am in financial difficulty? Can I treat each wife according to my financial capacity? I will request both of them to accept my financial position. Can I marry a second wife with her consent of supporting her with only a monthly budget of 20000 rupees.
Answer
The law of shariah is that it is compulsory upon the husband to exercise equality between his wives. Hence, it is not permissible for you to give your second wife less wealth. If you give her less than the first wife, you will be sinful. However, if she wilfully forfeits her right and is pleased to accept only 20 000 rupees, it will be permissible for you to give her this amount. Nevertheless, at any point later if she retracts and asks you for her right of equality, then it will be compulsory upon you to exercise quality and give her equal to the first wife.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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