Marriage and Polygyny in Islam

An Introduction

🌷 Marriage in Islam is a noble relationship strongly recommended for adults. Unlawful sexual relations are forbidden and considered adultery, a major sin and a punishable crime. They are also regarded as disgraceful in most social customs around the world.

Polygyny in Islamic Law

Polygyny is an acceptable family arrangement for Muslims who believe that God sent guidance through revelation to perfect human behavior and distinguish humans from other creatures. Although God gave people free will, He prefers that mankind follow specific rules in life, as He knows what is best for us.

🕯️ God therefore specified that people should fulfill their sexual needs only through lawful relationships that give women their rights and support human dignity and pride. God is aware of all human needs and of our psychological and biological structures, so His law is the most dynamic and beneficial.🌼

The Most Merciful says in the Qur’an:

{ أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ }الملك14 .

“Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Well-Acquainted (with everything).”

— Al-Mulk 67:14

🌿 In Islamic law, a woman is cared for, protected, and supported by a man. This support is provided by her closest relatives, beginning with her husband, if she is married, and then her father, brothers, grandfather, sons, and uncles.

Those who state that a woman’s life is miserable under Islamic law, or that polygyny is not a proper way of life in an era of knowledge, development, civilization, globalization, and freedom, do so out of ignorance, enmity, or both, taking laws and history out of context.

Polygyny Before Islam and Its Regulation

When Islam came, some men had ten or more wives. For example, Ghelan Ibn Omayyah had ten wives when he converted to Islam. The Prophet, peace be upon him, told him to choose only four to keep and divorce the rest.

Al-Harith Ibn-Qays also said:

“I converted to Islam and had eight wives. I mentioned this to the Prophet and he said to me, ‘Choose four of them.’”

Thus, allowing up to four wives limited the number while preserving flexibility of choice. The article presents this as a way for the religion to remain compatible with different cultures.

🌿 It also states that major religions, including Judaism and Christianity, allowed the possibility of multiple wives until people changed this rule for their own purposes and agendas. Polygyny is also practiced in many African and other cultures. Therefore, the article argues, polygyny is not exclusively an Islamic practice: it existed before Islam and in cultures around the world. Islam regulated it and made it a just practice.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

{ فَانكِحُواْ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاء مَثْنَى وَثُلاَثَ وَرُبَاعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلاَّ تَعْدِلُواْ فَوَاحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَلاَّ تَعُولُواْ } النساء3.

“Then marry women of your choice, two, three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one or (the women) that your right hand possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.”

— An-Nisa 4:3

⚖️ The permission to marry more than one woman is conditional upon the man’s ability to deal justly with his wives, especially regarding the allocation of time, money, and resources such as housing.

Justice as a Condition of Polygyny

Imam Al-Qurtubi interpreted the word “one” in the verse as indicating that a man must not increase the number of wives in a way that leads to injustice. This means that justice is an obligation, not a choice.

Imams Ibn Kathir, Al-Shawkani, and Al-Baghawi also offered similar interpretations of the verse.

Shaikh Al-Sa’di stated in his interpretation that polygyny is allowed if a person can be just and fair, and is confident that he will give his wives their rights equally. Otherwise, he should have only one wife.

Justice is presented as the main and most important condition of polygyny, from the prophetic age onward. It is stated in the Qur’an, strongly recommended by the Prophet, peace be upon him, and explained by Islamic scholars.

Polygyny and Social Needs

📚 Islam is presented as a way of life for human beings: realistic, logical, and compatible with human nature in all places and times. Its values and principles take human dignity into consideration in order to promote a better life and a cleaner society.

🌿 It also states that many men today do not marry, or delay marriage, for financial reasons. Furthermore, it argues that the recent emergence of homosexuality as an accepted gender orientation means that more men are becoming ineligible or unwilling to marry and support a family.

🔀 The article then presents three possible choices:

1-A man marries only one woman and leaves other women single for the rest of their lives, competing for limited family positions.

2-A man marries only one woman but becomes involved with others unlawfully, betraying himself and his wife.

3-A man lawfully marries more than one woman, addressing this social problem.

Although the third family arrangement may not be ideal for any of the women involved, the article considers it the best solution for the greater good in many cases. It argues that every woman should be helped, supported, and protected so that she can live with pride and dignity, free from additional financial responsibilities.

Polygyny and Women in Different Circumstances

🌿Polygyny can be a solution for widows with children who may be unlikely to be accepted by single men. Similarly, the article suggests that women who are considered unattractive or who have disabilities may become second wives to capable men.

🌿 Some Islamic scholars say that a woman may stipulate before marriage that her husband will not take another wife. The article explains that this means she may have the choice to leave the marriage, while the man makes his choice as well.

🌿In general, the article argues that it is better for a woman to be a second wife than to remain single for the rest of her life, living alone, having unlawful sexual relations, and possibly becoming a single parent.

🌿 It also considers the difference between women’s and men’s fertility periods. The article states that a woman’s fertility period may last until the age of fifty, while a man’s may last until eighty or beyond. It argues that if every man marries only one woman until she reaches menopause, while he remains fertile, he may either remain with her and not have more children, abandon her if he marries again, or have a relationship with a mistress or girlfriend. The article describes the latter as repugnant and damaging to everyone’s reputation and lives.

Western Authors on Polygyny

Some Western authors have advocated the idea of polygyny in society.

Gustave Le Bon said:

“Polygamy is a good system. It raises the ethical standard of nations, strengthens family bonds and gives women respect and happiness that is not found in Europe.”

Bernard Shaw said:

“Europe will be forced to turn to Islam (for its solutions to social problems) before the end of the twentieth century, wanted or not.”

Conclusion

⚖️ It argues that if modern Western nations, such as America, can debate the possibility of allowing two men or two women to be considered married to each other, despite the inability to have children together naturally, as an issue of personal choice and freedom, then they should also be prepared to seriously consider the legalization of and respect for a man marrying multiple wives, as found in nature and human history, through personal choice.