Praise be to Allah.
What seems to be the case is that the husband has no right to do that, unless the wife whose house it is gives permission and approves of it, because of what is well known of women’s jealousy in most cases and the desire of each woman to have her house to herself.
This prohibition is further emphasised in the case asked about here, namely bringing her into the house in the absence of the wife whose house it is, because of the suspicion that he may engage in intimacy with her in the house of the other wife; it is well known that this would cause upset to her.
Ash-Shaykh Sulayman al-Majid (may Allah preserve him) was asked:
Is it my right that my husband should ask me for my permission when he invites his second wife to our house? Please note that he says that it is up to me. May Allah benefit us with your knowledge.
He replied:
If there is any discomfort caused to either of the co-wives by meeting the other, it is not permissible for the husband to encourage them to do that. But it is recommended for a woman to try to be on good terms with her co-wife and uphold ties with her even if that is at the minimal level, because cutting off ties between them usually leads to cutting off ties between the children, and cutting off ties between the children will affect them in both worldly and spiritual terms. In worldly terms it is a denial of the rights of siblings and not benefitting from their help. It causes loss of barakah and shortens lifespans because of cutting off ties.
In terms of the Hereafter, it brings a grievous penalty. Hence the wife should think in the long term and for the sake of that she should put up with anything she encounters from her co-wife. She should understand her husband’s aim, which is to establish a good relationship among his children; this cannot usually be achieved except through some relationship between the co-wives. But it is not permissible for the husband to force his wife to do anything that is upsetting to her.
And Allah knows best.
End quote from the Shaykh’s website:
http://www.salmajed.com/node/11187
And Allah knows best.
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