Equalizing Maintenance and Housing Between a Wealthy Wife and a Poor Wife

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, a man has two wives, one is wealthy and the other is poor. Is their maintenance to be equal and their housing to be equal?

Answer:
He gives each one what is fitting for her and what she needs, so that there is no deficiency in her maintenance, housing, clothing, or lodging. If he completes these four things and one of them has something extra, there is nothing wrong with that, because he has been just between them in the obligatory justice. As for gifts, or anything beyond what is sufficient, there is nothing wrong with that. However, if it leads to corruption between the wives or misunderstanding, or…, there is no doubt that preventing harm takes precedence over seeking benefit, so he must consider the circumstances. But in terms of obligation, what is obligatory for him is only to secure her needs in housing, clothing, and lodging, the things she requires. If he secures them for her, he has fulfilled the obligation and achieved justice. Yes.