The New Nation - Internet Edition

Ameer Hamzah

In our society we have found many male persons to have more than one wife. They are proud of it. When it is said to them: Why have you married more than one woman? They say: We follow the traditions of the Prophet (SM) of Allah. However, they avoid the matter of doing equal treatment between the wives. In contrast, nowadays, there are many people who allege that Islam has curbed the freedom of women on this issue because they cannot take more than one husband.

In this connection, let us analyze the matter in light of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Prophet.

Verse No. 4/3 of Al-Quran

"And if you fear that you will not be able to deal fairly by the orphan (girls), marry of the women, who seem good to you, two, three or four; if you fear that you cannot do justice ( to so many) then one only."

Verse No. 4/129 of Al-Quran

Ye will not be able to deal equally between your wives much you wish (to do so). But turn not all together away (from one), leaving her in suspense."

By the above two verses, we learn that Islam has given conditional permission of marrying more than one wife in limited cases only. This condition--doing justice between wives-being very hard, they should remain content in one wife. Yet if anyone marries so, he must not ignore one for the sake of other.

Being asked about the consequences of failing to do justice between the wives, the Prophet Muhammad said, such a person will rise paralyzed on the Day of Judgment and then will face punishment.

Another question is whether marriage is compulsory or not. There is a wrong perception in our society that it is compulsory on the part of the male persons. Let us see what does the Quran say:

Verse no.4/25

And whoso is not able to marry free, believing woman, let them marry from the believing maids, whom your right hand possess.

Verse no. 24/33

And let those who cannot find a match keep chase till Allah gives them independence by grace.

By the above two verses we learn that marriage is not for him who is financially weak. He must wait till Allah gives him means to support wife (and children). At this, some sahabies met the Prophet and said: What should we do in this situation? The Prophet said, keep fasting every alternate day to control biological instinct.

Islam prohibits secret promise in the matter of marriage but enjoins writing (cabinnama).

Verse No.2/237

"And there is no blame on you respecting that which you speak indirectly in the asking of woman in marriage within your minds. Allah knows that you will mention them but give them not promise in secret unless you speak in a lawful manner and confirm not the marriage until the writing is fulfilled."

Besides, Allah has prohibited marriage with women as mentioned in verse no. 4/23.

"Forbidden to you are your mothers (and upwards) and your daughters (and downwards) and your sisters and your paternal aunts and your maternal aunts and brothers' daughters (and downwards) and sisters' daughters (and downwards) and your mothers that have suckled you and your foster-sisters and mothers of your wives and your step daughterst

And the wives of your sons who are of your loins and two sisters together."

So, it reveals that Islam has given excellent solutions of all the problems we face in our day-to-day life. One example will clear the matter. According to a report, there are 25 million more females than males in the USA. The reason is that the law of the USA permits gay marriage. As a result, what will happen to these women? The solution lies in Islam as already narrated.