⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #55
May a husband live in his own home and have his wives come to him in turn?
According to the Shafi'i school, a husband with his own separate home may call his wives to come to him in turn, but he may not go to some wives' homes and call others to come without their agreement, because that is unfair.
The principle is justice in the rota (an-Nisa' 4:3, 4:129). The Prophet's ﷺ practice was to go round his wives' homes, and that is the most common arrangement in Malaysia, as each wife is entitled to her own home (at-Talaq 65:6). An arrangement where the husband calls his wives to his house may suit certain circumstances, for example when he is ill or a wife lives far away, but it should be agreed, taking into account the safety of the wife and children travelling, and with transport costs borne by the husband. See the question on separate homes and The rota in practice.
The principle is justice in the rota (an-Nisa' 4:3, 4:129). The Prophet's ﷺ practice was to go round his wives' homes, and that is the most common arrangement in Malaysia, as each wife is entitled to her own home (at-Talaq 65:6). An arrangement where the husband calls his wives to his house may suit certain circumstances, for example when he is ill or a wife lives far away, but it should be agreed, taking into account the safety of the wife and children travelling, and with transport costs borne by the husband. See the question on separate homes and The rota in practice.
Sources
Surah an-Nisa' 4:3Surah an-Nisa' 4:129Surah at-Talaq 65:6