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
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.