Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) was informed that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas and Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) were asked: If a man has a free woman in his marriage and then he wishes to marry a slave woman, what is the ruling? Both of them replied that it is disliked (makruh).

Saeed bin Musayyib used to say that one should not marry a slave woman while having a free woman, except when the free woman is agreeable; then the husband will stay with her for two days and with the slave woman for one day.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: When a free man has the ability to marry a free woman, he should not marry a slave woman. And if he does not have the ability to marry a free woman, even then he should not marry a slave woman except in the case where there is fear of committing adultery, because Allah, Glorious and Exalted is He, has said: "Whoever among you does not have the means to marry free believing women, then let him marry believing slave women." And He said: "This is for him among you who fears sin and hardship." Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: By sin and hardship is meant adultery.