Question for Sheikh Yaser

[Anonymous1]

Asalamalikum WR. WB.

I pray this post finds you all in the best of imaan and health. Sheikh Yaser, I have a friend who is considering marrying a brother who already has a previous wife. In other words she would be wife #2.

My questions to you are:
1) What are the rights of the 1st wife?
2) What are the rights of the 2nd Wife
3) What are the duties/responsibilites and rights of the husband?


Jazakillah

Anonymous1

[Yaser Birjas]

wa alaykum as-salam,

They both have the same equal rights and obligations in terms of sustenance, time rotation, housing and so on, except for the first few days after the second marriage where he needs to stay with the new bride for a week and then return with the first for three days and go back to one night here and one night there.
This does not prevent him from seeing them both on the same day, but spending the night should be separately by rotation.
If the first wife gave up some of her rights to allow the husband marry a second wife then it’s called 'Sulh' or reconciliation and this is done by mutual consent.
The first wife has no special status because of her being the first, neither do the second as being the new one.

Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips has a book on this issue which I recommend. Search for it on the net, its available in many online bookstores. The book called 'Polygamy in Islam'

[Anonymous1]

Jazakallah Shekih Yaser. Insha-Allah the sister will benefit from this information.

Ma'Salamah