there is no allotment of turns for a woman in postnatal bleeding. That is, the husband does not spend one night with her and one night with the other wife, nor does he make up her missed turns once she becomes pure from postnatal bleeding. Accordingly, we say that the implication of Allah’s saying, “Live with them honourably” [Quran 4:19], is that no turn is allotted to a woman in postnatal bleeding. As for a menstruating woman, the custom among us is that he does allot her a turn, and the husband does not differentiate between them: he goes to each wife on her allotted night, whether she is pure or menstruating.

His statement, “and a sick woman,” means that he must allot a turn to a sick wife. This view is sound; indeed, it could reasonably be said that it is even more obligatory than allotting turns to a healthy wife, because if he abandons a sick wife, it will affect her and worsen her illness.

If he finds this sick wife repulsive and says, “I cannot bear it,” we say: then seek her permission and put her heart at ease. For at times an illness is more than a person can bear, while at other times it is bearable. Thus, if she has an illness that he cannot bear, or if he fears contagion, then he should seek her permission.

His statement, “and a defective woman,” refers to a wife who develops a defect. He must allot her a turn. The same applies if she had the defect from before, because he was at fault for not stipulating that he would not allot her a turn. The defect may arise later or may have been pre-existing.

His statement, “and a safe insane woman and otherwise,” means that he must also allot a turn to an insane wife, whether she is safe or unsafe. If she is safe, the matter is clear and presents no difficulty. But if she is unsafe, he cannot be sure that, once he has fallen asleep, she will not go to the kitchen, take a knife, and slaughter him. This is possible. Thus, the author’s statement, “and otherwise,” indicates