Is it obligatory to treat the first wife equally with the second on her wedding day?

Question:
The questioner, Muhammad from the Arab Republic of Egypt, asks: A man wants to marry a second wife in addition to his first wife. Does the first wife have the right to request clothing and gold like the second wife at the wedding, or what should he do regarding her?

Answer:
No, he is not obligated to do that. He is obligated to provide for her in a good manner. As for what he gives the new wife, such as the bridal gift and other things, that is specific to the new wife. He is not obligated to give the first wife the same amount. However, he should divide the bridal gift for the new wife: if she is not a virgin, he should divide it into three parts for her; if she is a virgin, he should divide it into seven parts for her. Then he should be just, and then divide among all of them.
As for giving her the same as he gave the new wife in terms of bridal gift, jewelry, and clothing, if she made that a condition on him, no, he does not have to do that. But he should give her... he should divide among them after the clothing and other things, after the marriage, and make them equal.

The presenter: May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.