MORE THAN ONE WIFE

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*MORE THAN ONE WIFE*

The Shari'ah has allowed limited and conditional polygamy. A man may have only up to four wives on condition that he maintains equality and justice between them, and fulfils their rights. In the case where a male is unable to do so, he is asked to stick to one wife.

If due to the wife's inability to give birth or the sexual appetite of a man not being satisfied by one wife or for some other reason a man decides to marry a second, third or fourth wife and is not just between them and does not fulfil their rights he has been warned of a severe punishment. The Hadīth says that a person who has had two wives and favoured one over the other will on the Day of Judgement have his body slumped in disgrace. (Abu Dawood & Tirmidhi)

By looking at him people may know his crime. Regarding this limited and conditional polygamy, Almighty ALLĀH has says:

Surah An-Nisa, Verse 3:

وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا فِي الْيَتَامَىٰ فَانكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا

And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.

The ahaadeeth have also confirmed this. Many Companions of the Prophet had up to four wives who lived very happily. Neither did the wives disagree to the other marriages nor did they create unnecessary disputes. They neither made life difficult for their husband nor for his other wives. In fact they facilitated the other marriage.

Almighty ALLĀH who has created man, is the best Knower of his needs. He decrees rules and regulations that fit the condition of man. He has always provided halal (lawful) and permissible methods of fulfilling all man's desires, leaving him with no excuse to engage in haram (unlawful).

Therefore, to feel or think that this limited and conditional polygamy that is permitted by Almighty ALLĀH is bad or incorrect or invalid in these times, or to unnecessary hinder a man's second, third or fourth marriage is contrary to the Shari'ah and detrimental to one's spiritual well being.

There are many reasons why Islam has allowed this limited polygamy. At times a woman is unable to bear children, yet the husband is eager to have children. At times the sexual strength of a man is so great that one woman is not enough to satisfy his sexual needs. At first, during the unclean days of a woman, her husband finds it difficult to restrain himself. If he does not marry a second wife he will probably end up committing zinā (adultery).

The population of women is far greater than that of men. The Hadīth has confirmed that there will come a time when the ratio of men to women will be 1 to 50. If every man was to marry a single woman, there will be countless women left without anyone to marry. This would encourage zinā (adultery or fornication) which is already prevalent. Our Creator has therefore permitted this limited polygamy to provide solutions for those females who are finding it difficult to marry.

At times a young widow or divorcee would be able to revive her entire life through this permissibility which is only appreciated by those who are facing this problem themselves or within their homes. There are countless other reasons which we will not mention in this brief booklet.

Mufti Muhammad Shafie has mentioned in his Tafseer, "Ma-aariful Qur-ān", the summary of which is, "The permissibility of a male having more than one wife comes well before Islam in the Empires and kingdoms of Arabia, Iran, Egypt, India, etc. All these nations practiced polygamy. It is only the European continent that recently tried to prohibit polygamy. This resulted in extra marital relations.

Similarly, the religious book of the Hindus (wald) has permitted polygamy. Some Hindus used to have ten, twenty and up to twenty-seven wives. The "Krishna" who is greatly regarded by Hindus had countless wives.

Those nations that have prohibited polygamy have been faced with an increase in zinā (adultery or fornication). Take a look at the people of Europe. They prohibit polygamy but openly acknowledge mistresses and girlfriends. What as sense is there in prohibiting Nikah (marriage) and permitting zinā (adultery or fornication).

It is unfortunate that we tend to disagree with a halal (lawful) second or third wife, yet we take it lightly when haram (unlawful) is being done.