Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله)
Question:
Some people claim that marrying more than one woman is not permissible except in the case of a man who has orphan girls in his care and fears he cannot deal with them justly. They cite the following verse as evidence:
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا فِي الْيَتَامَى فَانْكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ
“And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of women: two, three, or four.”
(Surah al-Nisāʾ 4:3)
We seek clarification regarding the true meaning of this verse.
Answer:
This statement is completely false. The meaning of this verse is that if a man has an orphan girl in his guardianship and fears that he will not give her a fair mahr (dowry) or treat her with justice, he should instead marry other women, as there is no shortage of women. Allah has not placed any hardship on this matter.
This verse is a clear proof of the legitimacy of marrying two, three, or four women. Such polygamy helps protect chastity, modesty, and dignity. It also contributes to population growth, maintaining the chastity of many women, and fulfilling their rights through kindness and financial support.
There is no doubt that it is better for a woman to have a portion of a husband—whether a half, third, or quarter—than to remain unmarried. However, justice and financial ability are necessary conditions for polygamy. If a man fears that he cannot be just, he should suffice with one wife, along with any female slaves he may lawfully possess.
This practice is confirmed by the example of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, as he passed away while married to nine wives. Allah (ﷻ) says:
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ...
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example…”
(Surah al-Aḥzāb 33:21)
The Prophet ﷺ clarified to his Ummah that no one may be married to more than four wives at once. Therefore, his example for the Ummah is in having four wives or fewer, while marrying more than four was specific to him alone.
And Allah knows best.
Question:
Some people claim that marrying more than one woman is not permissible except in the case of a man who has orphan girls in his care and fears he cannot deal with them justly. They cite the following verse as evidence:
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا فِي الْيَتَامَى فَانْكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ
“And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of women: two, three, or four.”
(Surah al-Nisāʾ 4:3)
We seek clarification regarding the true meaning of this verse.
Answer:
This statement is completely false. The meaning of this verse is that if a man has an orphan girl in his guardianship and fears that he will not give her a fair mahr (dowry) or treat her with justice, he should instead marry other women, as there is no shortage of women. Allah has not placed any hardship on this matter.
This verse is a clear proof of the legitimacy of marrying two, three, or four women. Such polygamy helps protect chastity, modesty, and dignity. It also contributes to population growth, maintaining the chastity of many women, and fulfilling their rights through kindness and financial support.
There is no doubt that it is better for a woman to have a portion of a husband—whether a half, third, or quarter—than to remain unmarried. However, justice and financial ability are necessary conditions for polygamy. If a man fears that he cannot be just, he should suffice with one wife, along with any female slaves he may lawfully possess.
This practice is confirmed by the example of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, as he passed away while married to nine wives. Allah (ﷻ) says:
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ...
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example…”
(Surah al-Aḥzāb 33:21)
The Prophet ﷺ clarified to his Ummah that no one may be married to more than four wives at once. Therefore, his example for the Ummah is in having four wives or fewer, while marrying more than four was specific to him alone.
And Allah knows best.
