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Saturday 14 December 2024  
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Home » Social Dealings » Marriage and Engagement

Concerning Polygyny/ Polygamy.
Question:

Some people say marrying more than one wife is not allowed unless a person has an orphan under his care and he fears that he will not do justice between them. Then he may marry their mother or one of her daughters. For evidence they quote, '' And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls, then marry women of your choice, two, three or four.” (al-Nisa:3)
Answer:

This statement is false. The meaning of the verse is that if a person has under his care an orphan and he fears that he will not give her proper amount of dower, then he should marry other women, for there are many women and Allah will not make things difficult for him.

The verse points to the legality of marrying two, three or four wives. This is allowed because it leads to more chastity, lowering the eyesight and guarding the private parts.

Furthermore, that is a cause for more children and the chastity of more women, as well as them being treated properly and cared for.

There is no doubt that the women who has one-half of a husband or one-third or one-fourth is better off than the one who has no husband at all. However, one must meet the condition of justice among the wives and the ability to take care of and tend to the wives. If a person fears he will not do justice, then he may only marry one wife in addition to having slaves. The practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) indicates and stresses that. When he died he had nine wives. And Allah says about him,

''Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow.” (al-Ahzab:21)

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) made it clear to his Nation that it was allowed for him to have more than four wives. Therefore, following his example on this point would mean taking four wives or less. Beyond four wives is something that is specific for the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) only.

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women - Darussalam Pg. 178-179
http://www.fatwaislam.com
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