⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #48
The first wife is older and no longer wants her turn. May the husband stop spending nights at her house?
If the wife herself willingly gives up her turn, the husband may go along with her wish; but the responsibility for maintenance, kind treatment and visits continues.
Sawdah r.a., as she grew older, gave her turn to Aishah r.a. and remained a wife of the Prophet ﷺ (narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim). Surah an-Nisa' 4:128 says that reconciliation by giving up part of one's rights is better. But the willingness must come from the wife, not from the husband's pressure. She also has the right to withdraw and ask for her turn back at any time. The husband should keep visiting her and make sure she does not feel cast aside. See Fiqh of polygyny.
Sawdah r.a., as she grew older, gave her turn to Aishah r.a. and remained a wife of the Prophet ﷺ (narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim). Surah an-Nisa' 4:128 says that reconciliation by giving up part of one's rights is better. But the willingness must come from the wife, not from the husband's pressure. She also has the right to withdraw and ask for her turn back at any time. The husband should keep visiting her and make sure she does not feel cast aside. See Fiqh of polygyny.
Sources
Surah an-Nisa' 4:128Sahih al-Bukhari 5212 — the story of SawdahSahih Muslim — the story of Sawdah