🤝 Existing wife & prospective wife · #46

The first wife works and has her own salary. May the husband reduce her maintenance for the second wife?

No — the wife's salary does not cancel the husband's duty of maintenance. A wife's maintenance is the husband's responsibility regardless of whether she is rich or poor. The wife's income is her own; if she willingly contributes to the household, that is charity and deserves appreciation, not to be used as an excuse for reducing her rights when the husband marries again. The court assesses the husband's own ability to support all his wives when approving polygyny. If maintenance is reduced unfairly, the wife may make a claim in court. See maintenance and two-household finances.

Sources

Surah an-Nisa' 4:34Surah at-Talaq 65:7Surah an-Nisa' 4:4

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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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