How are the shares of inheritance and dowries distributed if the husband divorces one wife after marrying a sixth?
Chapter on Distant Kindred (Dhawu al-Arham)
Al-Mughni
Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)
Primary text
If the husband, after marrying a sixth wife, states, 'One of you is divorced' (referring to the group of six), the inheritance distribution remains unchanged from the previous stage. However, the dowries become differentiated. The sixth wife receives seven-eighths of a dowry. The fifth wife receives twenty-five parts out of thirty-two of a dowry. The original four wives are left with two dowries and twenty-seven parts out of thirty-two of a dowry.
Supporting text
According to Al-Shafi'i, one-quarter of the inheritance is held in suspension among the six wives, another quarter is held among the five wives, and the remainder is held among the four wives. Similarly, half a dowry is held among the six, half among the five, and half among the four, and each wife is given half of what is due to her share.