⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #33
May a wife 'sell' her turn to a co-wife for money?
In the Shafi'i school, it is not valid to take money in exchange for a turn, because the rotation is not property or a benefit that can be bought and sold.
The rotation is a right to the husband's company, not a commodity. If money changes hands, the giving of the turn is not valid as a sale and the money must be returned; the rotation reverts to its original state. However, a wife may give her turn voluntarily without payment, as Sawdah r.a. did to Aishah r.a. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5212; narrated by Muslim). A sincere gift between co-wives without conditions is also allowed. If you are unsure about a particular arrangement, consult your state mufti's office. See Fiqh of polygyny.
The rotation is a right to the husband's company, not a commodity. If money changes hands, the giving of the turn is not valid as a sale and the money must be returned; the rotation reverts to its original state. However, a wife may give her turn voluntarily without payment, as Sawdah r.a. did to Aishah r.a. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5212; narrated by Muslim). A sincere gift between co-wives without conditions is also allowed. If you are unsure about a particular arrangement, consult your state mufti's office. See Fiqh of polygyny.
Difference between schools. Some Maliki scholars allow a wife to accept payment in exchange for her turn; the Shafi'is and Hanbalis do not validate such payment.
Sources
Surah an-Nisa' 4:128Sahih al-Bukhari 5212 — the story of Sawdah