By Dr. Mawaheb Saleh Mahdi – College of Islamic Sciences – University of Karbala
{And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphans, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess. That is more suitable that you may not incline to injustice.} (An-Nisa 4:3)
{And you will never be able to be equal between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend and fear Allah – then indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.} (An-Nisa 4:129)
The Point of Dispute:
- Polygamy and its incompatibility with human nature
- The verse aims to address justice for orphans, not marriage legislation
- The contradiction between the two verses and the inability to achieve justice
Summary of the Answer:
- Polygamy has been acknowledged by all religions.
- The divine guidance and commandments were meant to organize human life and align with human nature.
- Polygamy in Islam is a societal necessity in cases of need.
Reconciling the Two Verses:
Some have overstated the relationship between the two verses, claiming they both imply the prohibition of polygamy. They argue that the first verse allows polygamy under the condition of ensuring justice, while the second verse indicates that it is impossible to achieve such justice, therefore making polygamy invalid.
The justice that is impossible to maintain refers not to the legal rights of the wives but to perfect equality, as the verse states: “And you will never be able to be equal between wives, even if you should strive.” The intended meaning is that while perfect equality in emotional love and affection is beyond human ability, the husband must still not neglect or mistreat any of his wives and must honor their legal rights.
The Issue of Polygamy in Islam:
Islam permits marrying up to four women. Polygamy in Islam has an ethical dimension that requires separate consideration. The Qur’an advises that men must be just in their dealings with multiple wives and reminds them that if they cannot maintain justice, it is better to marry only one. This principle is clear in the verse that urges justice and cautions against favoring one wife over another.
Some might argue that polygamy is degrading to women and contrary to the principle of equality. However, if they reviewed statistics in countries like Tunisia and Turkey, which banned polygamy, they might change their opinions.
There are specific justifications for polygamy, such as infertility or a spouse’s health issues, where it may be more beneficial for a husband to marry another wife rather than divorce the first one.
Polygamy in Islam is an optional system, not compulsory. In reality, polygamy is rare even in Muslim-majority countries due to changing social conditions, higher living costs, and concerns about fairness.
Conclusion:
Rejecting polygamy serves Western agendas focused on population control, aiming to weaken the Muslim community by limiting its growth.
