Preface: Third Edition

Since its publication in 1985, this work continues to be one of the only books of its kind in English devoted solely to the highly controversial topic of polygamy in Islam. As such, the steadily increasing demand for copies among both Muslims and non-Muslims has necessitated the undertaking of a third reprint. However, rather than merely reprinting the original, we decided to improve each reprint for the readers’ benefit.

The minor changes of the second edition have been incorporated in this edition along with further general improvements. All Hadiths [statements of the Prophet (x:)] have been carefully authenticated. The few unreliable (Da 7f) traditions remaining in the text have been identified as such in the footnotes and will — God willing — be removed from the book in subsequent editions. The hadiths have also been thoroughly referenced to existing English translations of the hadith classics with the help of brother Iftekhar Mackeen. Thus, the English reader may now more easily engage in further research on the topic from English reference works. An index of hadiths mentioned in the text has also been added in order to facilitate later use of the text. Beside these additions, there have also been some cosmetic changes to both the text and the cover design in an attempt to make the book more visually attractive. As to the title, it has been changed from “Plural Marriage in Islam” to “Polygamy in Islam” based on the recommendations of some readers who suggested that the subject matter of the book would be more

10 Preface: Third Edition

obvious at a glance using the well-known term “polygamy”.

It is hoped that these improvements and changes will be appreciated by the readers and that the educational goals of the book be achieved in its further and wider distribution.

Lastly, it is our prayer that Almighty God, Allah (4g), add these humble efforts to clarify the message of Islam to our scale of good deeds on the Day of Recompense.

Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips