Shari‘ah Ruling on Justice Between Two Wives and Giving Gifts to One
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings
A man who has two or more wives is obligated to maintain justice among them. It is not permissible to favor one wife over the others in terms of:
✔ Spending (nafaqah)
✔ Housing
✔ Time spent (e.g., nights)
✔ Gifts or property
To give exclusively to one wife, while depriving the others, is a clear violation of Islamic justice in marriage.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever has two wives and inclines towards one of them more than the other, he will come on the Day of Judgment with one side of his body paralyzed."
(Sunan Ibn Mājah: 1969)
Another narration states:
"He will appear on the Day of Judgment dragging his tilted or paralyzed side."
Also narrated by Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"A man with two wives who leans toward one of them will come on the Day of Resurrection with half of his body leaning down."
(Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 3942)
These ahadith emphasize the obligation of fairness between wives in all material and visible matters.
The Prophet ﷺ would deal justly among his wives and would supplicate:
"O Allah, this is my division regarding what I control, so do not hold me accountable for what You control and I do not."
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 2134)
This refers to emotional inclination, which is natural and beyond human control, and not sinful if justice is maintained in actions.
✔ If a husband gives a house, land, or gift to one wife, it is obligatory for him to:
• Provide an equal gift to each of his other wives,
• Or offer them the equivalent in value,
Unless the other wives willingly consent and waive their right.
Failing to maintain equality in such matters is unjust and brings about divine accountability.
Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings – Fatwa No. 19695
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings
◈ Gifting Only One Wife in a Polygamous Marriage
A man who has two or more wives is obligated to maintain justice among them. It is not permissible to favor one wife over the others in terms of:
✔ Spending (nafaqah)
✔ Housing
✔ Time spent (e.g., nights)
✔ Gifts or property
To give exclusively to one wife, while depriving the others, is a clear violation of Islamic justice in marriage.
◈ Severe Warning for Injustice
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever has two wives and inclines towards one of them more than the other, he will come on the Day of Judgment with one side of his body paralyzed."
(Sunan Ibn Mājah: 1969)
Another narration states:
"He will appear on the Day of Judgment dragging his tilted or paralyzed side."
Also narrated by Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"A man with two wives who leans toward one of them will come on the Day of Resurrection with half of his body leaning down."
(Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 3942)
These ahadith emphasize the obligation of fairness between wives in all material and visible matters.
◈ The Prophet ﷺ and Emotional Inclination
The Prophet ﷺ would deal justly among his wives and would supplicate:
"O Allah, this is my division regarding what I control, so do not hold me accountable for what You control and I do not."
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 2134)
This refers to emotional inclination, which is natural and beyond human control, and not sinful if justice is maintained in actions.
◈ Ruling on Giving Property to One Wife
✔ If a husband gives a house, land, or gift to one wife, it is obligatory for him to:
• Provide an equal gift to each of his other wives,
• Or offer them the equivalent in value,
Unless the other wives willingly consent and waive their right.Failing to maintain equality in such matters is unjust and brings about divine accountability.
🖋 Reference:
Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings – Fatwa No. 19695
