Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
One of the rights that the husband has over his wife is that she should not go out of his house except with his permission or let anyone into his house except with his permission.
The evidence for the former is the report narrated in al-Saheehayn about the slander incident (al-ifk), in which ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): “Will you give me permission to go to my parents?” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4141; Muslim, 2770.
Al-Iraqi said in Tarh al-Tathreeb (8/58): Her saying, “Will you give me permission to go to my parents?” indicates that the wife should not go to her parents’ house except with the permission of her husband. End quote.
See also question no. 87834
The evidence for the latter is the words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): “No woman should fast when her husband is present without his permission, and she should not allow anyone to enter his house when he is present without his permission.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4899; Muslim, 1026.
The correct view is that the husband does not have the right to prevent his wife’s parents from visiting her unless he thinks it most likely that their visit will result in trouble and harm. See question no. 112048.
Secondly:
It is not obligatory to treat co-wives the same with regard to what is mentioned above. In the case of one of them going out of his house without his permission there may be the possibility of harm or trouble or temptation, or he may be very protectively jealous for her, or there may be other reasons that make the man resort to such a thing, so he makes her ask permission before going out, but he does not require that of the other wife. The same may be said concerning the issue of visits.
What matters is that the husband should not seek thereby to harm his wife or hurt her and make things difficult for her, because that is contrary to the good treatment that he is enjoined to give her.
And Allah knows best.
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