⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #64
Must the rota be one night per household, or can it be counted weekly or monthly?
According to the Shafi'i school, the default is one night for each wife, and two or three nights each is allowed; more than three nights needs every wife's agreement, unless their homes are far apart.
The principle is justice that is genuinely felt (an-Nisa' 4:3, 4:129). A very long cycle, such as a week or a month per household, means wives and children go a long time without seeing the husband, so scholars limit it except by agreement or necessity such as distance between states. For families in the same town, a daily or two-day rota is more suitable. For homes in different states, a weekly arrangement may be practical if everyone agrees. Write the schedule down and review it when circumstances change. See how the overnight rota works and the question on wives in different states.
The principle is justice that is genuinely felt (an-Nisa' 4:3, 4:129). A very long cycle, such as a week or a month per household, means wives and children go a long time without seeing the husband, so scholars limit it except by agreement or necessity such as distance between states. For families in the same town, a daily or two-day rota is more suitable. For homes in different states, a weekly arrangement may be practical if everyone agrees. Write the schedule down and review it when circumstances change. See how the overnight rota works and the question on wives in different states.
Sources
Surah an-Nisa' 4:3Surah an-Nisa' 4:129Sahih al-Bukhari 5212