Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Q: if a person is legally married to two wives, how can he have justice with both , alternatively or weekly or can he keep both of them together in one place, is it permitted to share the common bed with both wife -- (in modern parlance it is called as orgy- how is it possible to satisfy-- both- i think it is haram to sleep with two women at a time, as such other wife cannot see other woman naked.

pl clarify

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Answer:

Two wives at one time

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: if a person is legally married to two wives, how can he have justice with both ,

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 3:

And if you be apprehensive that you will not be able to do justice to the orphans, you may marry two, or three, or four women whom you choose. But if you apprehend that you might not be able to do justice to them, then marry only one.

If one wishes to exercise one’s option of marrying more than one wife, Islam guides that the person must strive to be just and equitable towards his wives with what is directly under his control:

1. The spending of his wealth
2. The distribution of his time.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 129-130:

129 Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women even if it is your ardent desire: but turn not away (from a woman) altogether so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air)! If ye come to a friendly understanding and practice self-restraint Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

As much as one may try to be just and equitable towards his wives, it is only natural that it would be extremely difficult, if not out-right impossible, that one is inclined more towards one amongst his wives….maybe because of her superlative beauty, or her excellent behavior, or her pleasant nature, etc. What Islam absolutely prohibits and declares a sin is that one display discrimination or deficiency in spending his wealth and his time equitably and justly amongst his wives, or turn away from one of his wives as if she were hanging between being married or being single.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2128 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘When a man has two wives and he is inclined to one of them, he will come on the Day of resurrection with a side hanging down.’

Your Question: alternatively or weekly or can he keep both of them together in one place,

One must fear Allah and strive to come to a common understanding with his wives regarding the distribution of his time, and it is entirely upto the couple involved if they are comfortable spending alternate days, or alternate weeks, or alternate months together. Whatever is most convenient for the individuals involved, provided the time of the husband is distributed equally and fairly amongst his wives, would be acceptable in Shariah Law.

Your Question:…..or can he keep both of them together in one place

We assume that by your statement ‘keep both of them together in one place’ you mean to inquire if it is permissible in Islam for the husband to keep both his wives in the same apartment or house….

There is absolutely nothing in the Quran and the Sunnah which prohibits a husband keeping both his wives in the same apartment or house, thus legally it would be deemed permissible. But even the Messenger of Allah (saws) who had a maximum of nine wives at one time did not take this ‘challenge’ upon himself, and he (saws) made arrangements to provide a separate and distinct quarter or apartment for each of his wives.

But if the two wives of the individual agree and are satisfied to share the same apartment or house, there is nothing in the Quran or the Sunnah which would prohibit them from doing so.

Your Question: is it permitted to share the common bed with both wife --

Islam is a ‘way of life’ of piety and righteousness and under absolutely no circumstances does Islam permit a believer to have sexual intercourse with more than one of his wives at any one time. Besides it is also a condition of modesty, piety and righteousness in Islam that no man expose his private parts to any except his wife; and no woman expose her private parts to any except her husband. Thus it would be considered absolutely unlawful, illegal, indecent, and prohibited in Islam for a believer to have sexual relations with more than one of his wives at any one time.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan