What is the ruling when a man converts to Islam while married to one free woman and several slave women?

Chapter on Marriage of Polytheists

Al-Mughni

Book of Marriage

Book 35 · Issue 1 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a man converts to Islam and all his wives (free and slave) convert simultaneously, the marriage to the free woman remains valid, and the marriages to the slave women are nullified because he is capable of maintaining the free woman and thus cannot choose a lesser status. This is the established ruling.

Supporting text

Abu Thawr holds the opinion that the man has the right to choose among them.