This excerpt is taken from Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi's book Halal and Haram in Islam, translated into Urdu by Muhammad Tahir Naqqash.
Polygamy
Islam is a religion that is in harmony with nature and is a remedy for all troubles and difficulties. It civilizes humans and prevents excess and deficiency. We observe this quality of Islam in the stance it has taken regarding polygamy. Islam, considering humanity, the individual, and society, has permitted a Muslim to have more than one wife.
Before Islam, the custom of marrying many women was widespread among various nations and communities; sometimes a person would have ten wives, and sometimes this number would reach hundreds without any condition or restriction. But when Islam came, it imposed restrictions and conditions on polygamy. Regarding the restriction, Islam set the maximum limit at four wives. Thus, when Ghailan Thaqafi (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted Islam, he had ten wives. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him:
اختر منهن أربعا وفارق سائرهن
"Keep only four of them and leave the rest."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 2/14. Tirmidhi, Book of Marriage, Chapter on the man who embraces Islam and has ten wives, Hadith: 1128. Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, Chapter on the man who embraces Islam and has more than four wives, Hadith: 1953
Similarly, a person who had eight or five wives at the time of accepting Islam was also prohibited by the Prophet (peace be upon him) from keeping more than four.
Reference: Abu Dawood, Book of Divorce, Chapter on the one who embraces Islam and has more than four wives, Hadith: 2241. Ibn Majah, same reference, Hadith: 1952
As for the issue of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) nine wives, Allah Almighty granted him special permission during his lifetime due to the necessity of his mission and the needs of the Ummah after him.
The Condition of Justice for the Permissibility of Polygamy
The condition Islam has imposed for having multiple wives is that a Muslim must have confidence in himself that he will act justly among his wives in matters of eating, drinking, living, sleeping, and spending. But if a person does not have this confidence that he can fulfill these rights with justice and equality, then it is not permissible for him to have more than one wife.
The Divine command is:
فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً
"But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one."
Reference: (An-Nisa: 3)
And the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
من كانت له امرأتان يميل لإحداهما على الأخرى جاء يوم القيامة يجر أحد شقيه ساقطا أو مائلا
"He who has two wives and inclines to one of them will come on the Day of Resurrection with one of his arms hanging down, dragging it."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 247/2. Abu Dawood, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Division among Women, Hadith: 2133. Tirmidhi, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Equalizing among Co-wives, Hadith: 1141. Nasa’i, Book of the Ten Women, Chapter on a Man Inclining to Some of His Wives, Hadith: 3394. Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Division among Women, Hadith: 1969
The inclination and bias warned against in this hadith means to reduce or increase rights. It does not mean emotional inclination, because that falls under the category of impossible justice, which Allah has overlooked:
وَلَنْ تَسْتَطِيعُوا أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْ فَلَا تَمِيلُوا كُلَّ الْمَيْلِ
"And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging."
Reference: (An-Nisa: 129)
That is why the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), despite being just in intimacy and other matters, said:
اللهم هذا قسمي فيما أملك فلا تؤاخذني فيما تملك ولا أملك
"O Allah! As far as I am able, this is my division, so do not hold me accountable for what is beyond my ability."
Reference: Abu Dawood, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Division among Women, Hadith: 2134. Tirmidhi, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Equalizing among Co-wives, Hadith: 1140. Nasa’i, Book of the Ten Women, Chapter on a Man Inclining to Some of His Wives, Hadith: 3395. Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Division among Women, Hadith: 1971
That is, emotional and heartfelt inclination toward one wife is beyond human control. This supplication of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in this context.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) intended to travel, he would cast lots among his wives, and the one for whom the lot fell would accompany him.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Casting Lots among Wives when intending to travel, Hadith: 5211. Muslim, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Chapter on the Virtues of Umm al-Mu'minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), Hadith: 2445
This method was adopted by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to remove the hearts' distress and to keep everyone happy.
The Wisdom Behind the Permissibility of Polygamy
Islam is the final religion of Allah upon which the chain of prophethood ends; therefore, Islamic Shariah is eternal and universal, meant for all times and all people. It fully considers the compulsions, needs, and interests of individuals and groups.
Some men have a strong desire for offspring but remain deprived due to their wife being barren or ill. In such a case, is it not a dignified and better way for that woman to keep the first wife with her rights fulfilled and marry a second wife so that his desire for children is fulfilled?
Some men have a strong sexual drive and are overwhelmed by desire, but the wife has no inclination towards the husband, or she is ill, or her menstrual period is prolonged, and the man cannot be very patient with the woman. So, in these cases, would it not be better to marry a second wife instead of looking for a girlfriend?
Sometimes, the number of women exceeds that of men. Especially during times of war, many prominent individuals and young men perish. At such times, the welfare of society and the women themselves demands that they prefer to live as a concubine rather than remain deprived of marital life and grow old as virgins. This is a life of peace, affection, and chastity, and in this way, they can also attain the honor of becoming a mother. In fact, such a life is the voice of their nature.
When the number of women exceeds the number of men capable of marriage, they can choose one of three options:
Either they spend their whole life in the bitterness of deprivation.
Or they are left free to become a spectacle for men.
Or their marriage with such married men who are able to provide maintenance and treat them well is declared lawful.
Undoubtedly, this last way is the only just solution and a healing remedy. And Islam has commanded this:
وَمَنْ اَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ حُكْمًا لِّقَوْمٍ يُّوْقِنُوْنَ۠
“Who can be better in judgment than Allah for those who believe in Him?”
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah: 50)
This is the reality and wisdom of polygamy, about which the Christian West objects to Muslims, while their own condition is that they have legalized polygamy of mistresses and multiple lovers for men without any limitation or any legal or moral restriction. The result of this irreligion and immorality is the illegitimate offspring they are getting, which needs no explanation. In light of these facts, consider who speaks weightily and who is on the right path?
