Part 96

In 1948, there was a conference for youth in Munich, Germany. The conference discussed the problem of the increase in the number of

women over men after the war.

Many solutions for this problem were examined by then. Eventually, the result which the conference recommended to solve the problem was polygamy.

Some western thinkers praised the polygamy system and called for it as a solution to save the society and to give every woman her right to be a mother. Gustav Lubon in his book "Arab Civilization" says, "The principle of eastern polygamy is a good system, which elevates the morals of the nations adopting it, strengthens the unity of the family and grants the women respect and happiness beyond the European woman's imagination."

AlAqgad also stated, in his book "The woman in the Glorious Quran", some points of views of European philosophers concerning polygamy. He qouted Dr. Lebeau's statement "As a matter of fact, the European laws will, one day, allow polygamy. He also cited Ahranfil as saying, "Polygamy is needed to preserve the Arian progeny."

In the pre-Islamic period before Islam polygamy was unrestricted and unlimited, Abu Dawud related in his "Sunan" on the authority of alHarith ibn Qays that he said,

"l embraced Islam while I had eight wives. When I mentioned that to the Prophet (pbuh), he said "choose only four of them."

Tirmidhi reported in the authority of “Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both),

Abu Ghaylan ibn Salama ath-Thagafi embraced Islam and he had ten wives whom he married during the pre-Islamic period. His wives also embraced Islam with him. Thereupon, the Prophet (pbuh) commanded him to choose only four of them." Hence, we can conclude that the polygamy system is not only applicable to Islam but also to many nations before the advent of Islam,

to all heavenly laws that were revealed before Islam and to Arabs in the pre-Islamic period. Allah the Almighty says in His Glorious book,

their breasts P (Al-Hajj:46)

When Islam was revealed, polygamy was common among people. There might be one husband who had about ten wives. It was unlimited

polygamy. Then came Islam to put a severe limit that could not be surpassed. A Muslim can have only four wives provided that he treats them fairly, otherwise he can only marry one or what he possesses of slave girls.

In his book "In the Shades of Quran" Sayyid Qutb said, "Islam came to limit not to release and to restrict polygamy by justice not give free hand to man's desires." But, why does Islam allow polygamy? Islam is a realistic system that matches human nature in all circumstances, time and place. It preserves the human hygiene and morals by fighting any kind of corruption or perversion.

Thus, if we put such Islamic properties into consideration when dealing with the issue of polygamy, we would realize the rationale behind polygamy in Islam.

First of all, we may face an increase in the number of women over men. That is a natural increase even at the time of peace. Thus how could we solve this problem? Is it enough to let the society treat itself according to circumstances and chances? Therefore, we should have a principle that governs and treats such a problem. We have only three cases when women outnumber men:

1Either a man marries only one woman and leaves the others without marriage.

2Kither a man has a woman in a legitimate marriage and another concubine or concubines.

3Or he has more than one in marriage.

The first case is undoubtedly against the human nature. This is because a woman cannot live without a husband with whom she finds love and safety. Just as a man cannot only be satisfied with his financial and material progress so is a woman who is created to be a wife and a mother. Therefore a man and a woman are alike concerning the need to marriage. The second case is against righteousness and chastity. It also degrades a woman and strips her dignity. As for the third case, it is what

Islam recommends as a conditional dispensation to solve the problem of the shortage of men.

Secondly, the fertility period of a man is longer than a woman. It may be 70 years for him and 50 for her there is no doubt that among the goals of the creation of man and woman is to populate the earth by reproduction. Therefore it is incredible not to make use of the man's fertility period that exceeds the woman's. It is not obligatory for every one to do that. But it is rather permissible to fulfil such an innate requirement. That is the nature of the Divine legislation which fits our nature. Unlike the man-made laws, this Divine legislation is a comprehensive system that tackles all probabilities of human life.

We may find a husband leaning to fulfil his natural desire but his wife does not because of old age or sickness. They do not want to separate because of the long life they spent together. Thus, could we face such cases? Again we have also three probabilities for such case:

ITo suppress the man and deprive him of fulfilling his natural desire to preserve a woman's dignity.

2To give him a free hand to commit adultery and have concubines. 3To allow polygamy in accordance with the circumstances he lives in.

The first case is undoubtedly against the human nature and unbearable. The second case is against Islam and its good manners that aim to elevate the human life in order to be convenient to human beings whom Allah honored over animals. As for the third case, it is the only way to fullfil the natural requirements of human beings. It matches the moral Islamic precepts. It keeps the first wife in the shade of marriage so as not to lose the memoirs of her long life she led with her husband

who still Joves her.

A wife may be barren but her husband longs for a child. Such a person has only two alternatives:

1To divorce her in order to replace her with a women who can fullfil his desire.

2To marry another one in addition to his first wife.

There is no doubt that the better choice for most women is the second one. A wise woman would surely prefer polygamy to helplessness.

As a matter of fact, even the barren woman wishes to be amused by children no matter how they come.

Hence, we are now in a position that makes us understand Allah's saying,

. - 6 ek ee eee ste hte A ee 7 ae (Ags Si Sol as RA Ec SG LS WI pe Ob

éMarry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; But if ye fear that ye shall not able to deal justly (with them) then only, one>

The permission of polygamy in the verse fullfils the natural desires and fights against the life of corruption. Whereas the restriction, mentioned in the verse, protects the marital life of anarchy and the wife of injustice or humiliation.

The required justice mentioned in the above verse applies to material affairs such as in dewelling, clothes, food expenses, sleeping

with and every thing a man can do. As for applying justice to human feelings, it is beyond man's will. This is represented in Allah's saying,

Bae oO at Oe (BES) (oy B of sala raetrscane wall

éYe are never able to do justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire: But turn not away (from a woman) altogether, so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air) if ye come to a friendly understanding, and practice self-restraint, Allah is Oft - Forgiving, Most Merciful. 3 (An-Nisa’: 129)

However, some opinionated people cite the above verse as a proof for the prohibition of polygamy. Therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) illustrated the concept of justice in such case by saying, after treating his wives fairly,

"O Allah! That is what can I do of justice among them. May you not blame me as regards what You possess and I do not possess (namely the heart)."

Thus Islam introduced to polygamy such restrictions to make man think quietly and slowly lest he commits injustice which is forbidden by Islam.

Some people claim that polygamy is against a woman's dignity and that it contradicts the principle of equality between man and woman.

Those who circulate these false allegations are surely wrongful. Ibn al-Qayyim said, "Islam allows polygamy for a man, not a woman. This is due to Allah's wisdom, favors, and mercy, Exalted be He Whose law cannot be criticised or blemished. Had a woman married two men, there would have been corruption in this world. Husbands will fight each other. Chains of ancestry will be confusing. Therefore, this is the wisdom behind polygamy in Islam."

Before we move on we would like to declare that a woman is not obliged to accept a married man as a husband. She is completely free to agree or reject. In case she agrees, Islam guarantees all her rights, and dignifies her among the other wives.

But what we see, nowadays, of the people's perversion when they misuse polygamy and in turn devastate the institution of marriage, it is beyond the pale of Islam. Sayid Qutb said, "Whenever a generation perverts and misuses this dispension, they do not represent Islam nor are their actions from Islamic precepts. They forsake Islam and do not realize its concepts, which call to purity. The reason behind this is that they live in a society where Islam does not govern nor does the sacred law dominate.

Such a society is responsible for this anarchy and for adopting marriage as a brutal desire. Therefore, whoever wants to reform this

case should call the people to Islam, sacred Law, purity righteousness and moderation. Whoever wants to reform the society should call people to the Islamic way of life.

It is not enough to reform an aspect of life and leave others aside. Islam is a system that encompasses all aspects of life."

The Rationale Behind the Multiplying of the Prophet (pbuh)

We have mentioned before that when the enemies of Islam failed to attack Islam scientifically, they resorted to conspiracy and false allegations. They did their best to defame the prophetic character, especially concerning his many wives. They claimed that he (pbuh) was lustful and egocentric. In addition to many false accusations concerning his marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) and the story of the lie against “Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). Thereby, we have to refute such allegations and show the world the real character of the Prophet (pbuh) who is infallible and beyond, worldly benefits. What we are going to deal with can be summarized in the following points: