🤝 Existing wife & prospective wife · #19

Does the first wife have more rights because she has been married longer?

No — in the rotation of nights and basic maintenance, all wives are equal regardless of who came first or has been married longer. The only exception is the opening period for a new wife: seven nights if she is a virgin and three nights if previously married, before the normal rotation begins. After that, each wife receives an equal share. Even so, the contribution of a first wife who has been with her husband for a long time deserves to be appreciated with kind words and treatment, because Allah tells us not to forget the kindness between spouses. See fiqh of polygyny.

Difference between schools. The Hanafi school gives no special opening nights to a new wife; the majority (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali) give seven nights to a virgin and three to a previously married woman.

Sources

Sahih al-Bukhari 5213Surah al-Baqarah 2:237Surah an-Nisa' 4:3

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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