Special situations in polygyny: later life, converts, and wives who are ill or disabled

1Marrying again in later life or marrying a widow

• Perkahwinan pada usia emas tertakluk kepada syarat yang sama: kebenaran bertulis mahkamah jika masih beristeri (Akta 303 s.23(1)), dan hak isteri baharu sama seperti isteri sedia ada.
• A turn (giliran) is the right to the husband's nights and time together, not merely to intimacy. An older wife remains entitled to her turn.
• Maintenance and accommodation must be provided for each wife according to the husband's means.
• Adult children: talk honestly before the marriage. Their worries are usually about their mother and about property; answer both clearly.
• Property and inheritance: a new wife becomes a faraid heir. Separate the matrimonial property (harta sepencarian) of an earlier marriage, and arrange a wasiat or hibah early. See Family faraid and Preparing for death.

2Converts and polygyny

• Seorang mualaf yang sudah berkahwin mengikut Islam dan ingin berkahwin lagi tertakluk kepada syarat yang sama dengan setiap lelaki Muslim: kebenaran bertulis mahkamah terlebih dahulu (Akta 303 s.23(1)), permohonan dengan ikrar tentang sebab, pendapatan, tanggungan dan pandangan isteri sedia ada (s.23(3)).
• Perkahwinan yang diakad tanpa kebenaran tidak didaftarkan kecuali mahkamah berpuas hati ia sah menurut Hukum Syarak dan memerintahkan pendaftarannya, tertakluk kepada kesalahan di bawah s.123 (s.23(1A)).
• A new convert whose civil marriage still subsists faces separate legal questions — consult a lawyer and the state Syariah Court before making any decision.
• Seek guidance on a husband's responsibilities in Islam from the convert (mualaf) unit or the Islamic religious office of your state, and keep good relations with non-Muslim family members.

3A wife with a chronic illness or disability

• Rights are not lost through illness. A sick or disabled wife keeps her maintenance and her turn. A turn is the right to nights and time together, and a wife who cannot have intimacy is still entitled to it.
• Caring for and visiting a sick wife is part of treating her well (mu'asharah bil-ma'ruf) and of justice.
• Treatment costs: plan the household budget with long-term treatment costs in mind, and check available help such as disability (OKU) registration and assistance from the Social Welfare Department.
• If a question of Islamic ruling arises about turns or maintenance in a particular situation, consult your state mufti's office.

4When the husband is ill

When the Prophet ﷺ's illness grew severe, he asked his wives' permission to be nursed in Aisha's house, and they gave it (narrated by al-Bukhari, no. 198; and Muslim, Kitab as-Salah). Following this example, if a sick husband needs to be cared for in one home only, good conduct is to discuss it and obtain the agreement of the other wives.

5What the court considers

Di Wilayah Persekutuan, mahkamah memanggil pemohon, isteri atau isteri-isteri sedia ada, bakal isteri dan walinya, dan boleh membenarkan permohonan jika berpuas hati (Akta 303 s.23(4)):

6Other states and next steps

The sections above are for the Federal Territories. Each state has its own Islamic family law enactment with similar conditions but possibly different section numbers and procedures — please check the latest rules at your state Syariah Court or Islamic religious office. See also Procedure by state and the Counselling directory.

Sources & references