How must a husband proceed when dividing time among multiple wives concerning the initial night?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Wedding Feast
Primary text
When a husband has several wives, he is prohibited from beginning the division with any one wife except through casting lots (Qur'a), because starting with one constitutes favoring her, and equality is obligatory. Since they are equal in right and their time cannot be combined, resorting to lot-drawing is necessary, similar to the case of preparing for travel with one of them. If there are two wives, one drawing suffices for the first night, and the second night automatically goes to the second wife without a new drawing, as her right has become determined. If there are three, a drawing is held for the second night to determine the start between the remaining two. If there are four, a drawing is held for the third night, and the fourth night goes to the fourth wife without a drawing. It is permissible to draw lots for all four wives simultaneously for the first night; each receives the portion drawn for her.