Impermissibility of a husband giving one wife something and not the other

A: Whoever has two or more wives has to treat them fairly. It is not permissible for him to single out one of his wives for spending, accommodation or spending the night, to the exclusion of the others. In fact, there is a stern warning issued against the one who has two wives and does not treat them fairly. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said: (Part No. 16; Page No. 190) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a man has two wives and he is inclined to one of them, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with one of his sides hanging down. According to another narration of the Hadith: He will draw one of his two sides falling or aslope. (Recorded by Imam Ahmad in Al-Musnad, Vol. 2, pp 295, 347, 471) Moreover, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah recorded a similar Hadith in their Sunan. It is recorded on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a man has two wives and he is inclined to one of them, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with one of his sides hanging down. (Recorded by Abu Dawud in his Sunan, Vol. 2, P. 601) Furthermore, Al-Tirmidhy recorded a similar Hadith in Al-Jami`. This evidence indicates that it is obligatory to treat co-wives fairly and equally (Part No. 16; Page No. 191) and that it is impermissible for a husband to incline more to one of them in a way that will hurt the others. This does not include the natural inclination of the heart, for a person has no control over his heart's inclination. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to divide his time equally among his wives, and said: O Allah, this is my division concerning what I possess, so do not blame me concerning what You possess and I do not. Accordingly, it is impermissible for the abovementioned husband to single out one of his wives for an item of his property. Thus, if he gives a house or the like to one of his wives as a gift, he must treat all his wives equally in that regard giving a similar gift or something of equal value to all of them, unless the other wife approves of it. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.