A husband showing affection to both wives at the same time

21-7-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

To what extent a husband can show affection to his both wives when both are sitting in the same place.
1- Can he greet both of them at same time by hugging them and kissing on their cheeks?
2- Can he take both of them to dinner together?
3- Can he play with both of them at same time, in which a little kissing or touching of the body is involved?

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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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The ways of expressing one's love and affection towards his wife or wives in their presence are various. For instance, he can frankly tell them that he loves them. He can also offer gifts to them, and the like, and other ways that are within good moral conduct and that do not hurt their feelings.

Also, there is no problem religiously in kissing one's wife in the presence of another, and this is something very common, but it is more appropriate to avoid this as it is not good conduct in the presence of the other wife.

As regards taking wives to a restaurant, it is allowed in principle, but Islamic requirements should be met by a woman when entering a mixed place, like wearing Hijab, and so on. Also, kissing women or hugging them at the same time as stated in the question has the same ruling as kissing one wife or hugging her in the presence of the other.

Allaah Knows best.