Consequence of the husband specifically designating one wife after contracts of uncertain precedence.
Chapter on Distant Kindred (Dhawu al-Arham)
Al-Mughni
Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)
Primary text
If the husband specifies which woman he contracted with first before specification is established, the contract is confirmed. Consummation (watu) with one of the wives does not constitute specification.
Supporting text
The jurists of Iraq hold that consummation serves as specification. If the consummated wife was among the group of two, her marriage is valid, and the marriage of the group of three is voided. Al-Shafi'i maintains that consummation has no effect in establishing precedence.