⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #2
What does fairness in polygyny mean? Fairness in what?
The fairness required is fairness in what can be controlled: the rotation of nights, maintenance, accommodation and outward treatment.
The husband must divide the nights equally between his wives, give each wife sufficient maintenance according to his means, and provide suitable accommodation for each. Love and the inclination of the heart are not required to be equal, as they are beyond human control, as in Surah an-Nisa' verse 129. Yet the husband is forbidden to incline wholly to one so that another is left as if suspended. This fairness is measured in actions, not feelings. See Fiqh of polygyny and Husband's responsibilities.
The husband must divide the nights equally between his wives, give each wife sufficient maintenance according to his means, and provide suitable accommodation for each. Love and the inclination of the heart are not required to be equal, as they are beyond human control, as in Surah an-Nisa' verse 129. Yet the husband is forbidden to incline wholly to one so that another is left as if suspended. This fairness is measured in actions, not feelings. See Fiqh of polygyny and Husband's responsibilities.
Sources
Surah an-Nisa' 4:3Surah an-Nisa' 4:129