Polygamy in Islam

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98 popularity votes

Mehboob
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28/09/2007 4:34:47 PM

We have to take the time & place into consideration. Our Rasul s.a.w. took care of the women whose husbands had died in the path of Islam. He was a man who had great considerations for others above himself, masha allah. If they marry four for the sake of their lust and need an excuse for it, they will have to answer for it in the hereafter. So if you do it for the right reason, insya allah you need to fear no one. Everything based on your nia'at.

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77 popularity votes

sultana
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28/09/2007 11:57:09 PM

here's something useful :)
i agree with the author reasons with the polygamy but although i agree that polyandry is prohibited in Islam, the reason that was stated by this author is somewhat falky to me.


1. Definition of Polygamy

Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is Polygamy where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited Polygamy is permitted; whereas polyandry is completely prohibited.

Now coming to the original question, why is a man, allowed to have more than one wife?

2. The Qur'an is the only religious scripture in the world that says, "Marry only one".

The Qur'an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the phrase 'marry only one'. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures, one can marry as many as one wish. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.

read here for full source: http://www.ezsoftech.com/omm/p...

another one which might answer your question are these videos. This muslim women address her point of view about polygamy which is interesting coz this topic is concerning women.
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It comes in 3 parts: enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

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9 popularity votes

bmtalib
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rookie
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20/10/2007 11:26:53 PM

I think I've heard many explanations by scholars on why muslim men are allowed to marry up to four wives but with certain conditions which must be fulfilled. Maybe I'll try to list down some of the reasons here:

1) In times of difficulty and poverty resulted by war. Men who can afford it, are allowed to take more wives to protect and support the women (and children) who have lost their husbands. This will help reduce and balance out the poverty level of the society.

2) Men who are capable financially and with integrity are allowed to have another wife but they must treat them fairly and equally. It is fair that these men are allowed to have more wives. In other systems where men are not allowed to marry more than one, what happen is they simply do it out of wedlock or by keeping mistresses as they wished. Some openly have mistresses but many others keep it secret.

3) It is a natural behaviour for men to desire for more sexual partners (women). Islam thus puts a limit to only four wives but the conditions for this must be strictly fulfilled. In Islam, the correct instance polygamy is allowed is when the man can afford to support, provide the wives fairly and equally, so in that way he is contributing positively to the society.

I think the most important question regarding this subject is WHAT are the conditions and responsibilities when men are allowed to marry another wife (up to four) and not WHY. Having one wife is already a great responsibility for any normal man. So having more means multiple responsibilties and a burden. In Islam, not any man can have more than one wife.

Just my two cents from my limited knowledge regarding this subject.