A Muslim man married two wives, one Muslim and the other from the People of the Book. By his own admission, he gave each of them the same mahr (marriage payment) and provided each with the inventory of belongings she had in his possession as proof of her ownership. After a dispute with his wives, he denied his non-Muslim wife her right to her property and mistreated her to the extent that he treated his Muslim wife well.

Is there anything in the religion of Islam that allows a man to treat his Muslim and Christian or Jewish wife differently in terms of kind companionship and treatment? And is a husband entitled to deny his Christian or Jewish wife’s right to her property but not those of his Muslim wife?

Allah Almighty says, “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct” (Quran, 16: 90) and “Be just; that is nearer to righteousness” (Quran, 5: 8). Islam does not permit a Muslim to treat anyone with injustice, Muslim or non-Muslim. This applies equally to wives and to others, and there is no distinction between a Muslim wife and a Jewish or Christian wife.  Islamic law obligates a Muslim husband to treat his wives justly and equally, dividing the nights equally among them and giving each equal financial support.

If the facts mentioned in the question are as stated, and the Christian or Jewish wife owns property that belongs exclusively to her, her Muslim husband may not deny her right to it, misappropriate any of it, or benefit from any of it except with her consent.

And Allah Almighty knows best.