Is it permissible for a man married to two wives to house them in one large house? Or does each wife have the right to independent housing?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):
There is no fixed measure for maintenance in Islamic law; rather, the standard is to provide what the wife needs for her living, including food, clothing, bedding, shelter, and other necessities that are appropriate for her status in relation to her husband. This varies greatly in type, quantity, and quality depending on different places, times, situations, customs, and traditions. For instance, regarding housing, it may be suitable for her to live in a hut or a tent in rural areas, or she may require a house, apartment, or a separate room with facilities in the city.
Conclusion: Based on this principle, the answer becomes clear: the housing that a wife is entitled to from her husband is what is appropriate for her in relation to him, and this varies according to circumstances. It may be suitable for her to have a separate room even in a shared house, or it may only be appropriate for her to have an independent house.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 3, Maintenance, Marriage, Article 420 + Official Website
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
There is no fixed measure for maintenance in Islamic law; rather, the standard is to provide what the woman needs in terms of food, clothing, bedding, shelter, and other necessities. She is entitled to housing that is suitable for her according to the customs of her peers, and she should have the facilities she needs. She can demand to have her own housing separate from others, whether it be a shared house or a separate room with facilities, either through borrowing, renting, or ownership. If she is from a rural area, a hut or a separate tent that suits her situation would suffice.
Source: Tahrir al-Wasilah, Marriage, Maintenance, Article 8
May you be successful in all good.