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Fatwa CenterResents having same accommodations as her husband's ex-wife
Question
I had a question registered on the No. 241857. You gave me an answer but I think you understood wrongly the situation: I am not the second wife of a man, I am the wife he took secondly after he divorced the first one. I am his only wife now but still I am treated worse than his ex-wife because since they have kids together she is still living in his house and we are living in another country where he works and we are living in a rented house in which they used to live before. I was asking if I have the right to ask him to treat me as he treated her: to make a house especially for me, not to give me whatever was left from her. Do I have the right to ask at least the things he gave to his ex-wife?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
A husband is obliged to provide his wife with a suitable accommodation, as Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {Lodge them (the divorced women) where you dwell, according to your means, and do not harm them so as to straiten them (that they be obliged to leave your house)….}[65:6]. The type of accommodation is defined according to the customs. The circumstances of the married couple should also be taken into account whether they are rich or poor according to the preponderant opinion. The same applies to clothing and provision. Therefore, your husband is obliged to provide you with accommodation even by renting, and other provisions like food and clothing according to your needs and according to his ability. However, he is not obliged to provide for you the same as he did for his first wife. His obligations are as we have previously stated.
We should note, nevertheless, that marital life should be based on frankness, understanding, respect by each spouse, and each one should forgive the other for small mistakes, and be tolerant in demanding one's rights so that the objective for legislating marriage will be achieved, which is for tranquillity and peace of mind.
Allaah knows best.
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