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Is the husband sinful for depositing all his money and salary in the home of his first wife, while leaving his second wife with only enough for monthly expenses, knowing that he has other properties and incomes that are also deposited in the home of the first wife?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

A husband must be just between his wives in terms of lodging, dwelling, and sustenance. Justice in sustenance means providing each of them with their due maintenance, and equality is not obligatory in this regard; this is the view of the majority of scholars. If the husband provides the obligatory maintenance, he is not harmed if he singles out another wife with a gift or places money in her home. Ibn Qudamah stated that he is not obligated to equalize maintenance and clothing if he provides each wife with her due, because equality in this matter is difficult. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis, and it is the more apparent view among the Malikis, hold that if the husband provides each wife with what is due to her, there is no blame upon him if he provides more for whomever he wishes among them. As for the Hanafis, they hold the view that equality in maintenance is obligatory according to those who believe that maintenance is determined by the husband's financial situation. Ibn Taymiyyah chose the obligation of justice in everything in which justice is possible, and he said that justice is obligatory in maintenance and clothing. The husband is advised to observe justice in gifts and the like, while for maintenance, each wife receives what she needs. If the husband favors one of his wives with a gift or a donation while giving the other wife her maintenance, he is not considered unjust according to the majority of jurists, but what is recommended for him is equality in gifts.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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