Is it that easy in Islam to replace one wife with another?

Question

There is a verse in the Quran that says:

"If you decide to replace one wife with another, even if ye had given the earlier one a whole treasure for dower, take not the least bit of it back" [4 : 20]

Does this mean it is that easy for a Muslim to divorce his wife and replace her with a new one as long as he pays the dower and not taking it back?

(P.S. The word "replace" reminds me of the exchange policy in the stores)

Answer 1

That's about divorce, and it does not mean to replace!! It means if the two of them don't get along, he may not take anything back that he gave to her. He can not cause her harm, and he must wait three months. The wife also has the right to a divorce (khula) based just on the fact that she doens't like her husband anymore.

[004:014] Those who disobey Allah and His messenger, and stray beyond His limits, are the ones whom He will hurl into the hellfire. They will stay there forever. There is a humiliating punishment for them.

[004:015] Obtain the testimony of four eye witnesses among you against any of your women accused of committing a salacious deed _ (an extra marital sexual act). If they testify (and confirm her guilt) then confine her to her home till death claims her, or until Allah ordains an alternate way.

[004:016] Punish those of you _ both, man and woman _ who commit (such a deed). If they (relent and) repent and mend their ways, then leave them alone. Of course, Allah accepts repentance! He is the most Merciful!

[004:017] In fact, forgiveness is (incumbent) upon Allah for those who commit the sinful act out of ignorance and indiscretion; those who (repent and) seek forgiveness soon after. They are the ones whom Allah will forgive. Allah is the all-Aware, the Wisest!

[004:018] There is no forgiveness for those who continue to commit (and insist upon) sinful deeds (all their life). Then, as death confronts one of them, he says, “I seek forgiveness now!” (Likewise), there is no forgiveness for those who die as disbelievers. For such ones We have prepared a painful punishment.

[004:019] Oh you who believe! It is not (proper and) lawful for you to inherit from a woman against her will. Nor (is it proper or lawful) to take back anything you gave her (as a gift) _ unless she commits an openly lewd and salacious act (an extra marital sexual act). Associate with her in an honorable manner. You may dislike her. Yet, it is possible that you may dislike something, though Allah may have placed in it a great deal of good.

[004:020] In case you want to replace a wife with another, do not take back anything you may have given to her in the past, even if it were a very large sum. Would you take back (your gift) by resorting to slander and a flagrant injustice?

[004:021] How can you take anything back, after you have already consummated the relationship (and enjoyed each other)? She has secured from you a firm commitment!

[004:022] Do not wed the women, whom your father (or grandfather) had married. But whatever has already happened (in the past), has happened. That is indeed a lewd deed, an abominable act, a profane practice!

[004:023] Forbidden for you to marry are: your mothers, your daughters and your sisters, your father’s and your mother’s sisters, your brothers’ and sisters’ daughters, your foster mothers (that is, any women) who (may) have breast fed you, and the foster sisters who have shared the breast milk with you. (Also forbidden are) the mothers of your wives, and the stepdaughters under your care from your wives with whom you have had conjugal relations. But if you did not consummate the marriage (before you divorced her), then there is no sin (for you to marry her daughter). It is forbidden for you to marry the wives of your (biological) sons (that is, those who spring) from your loin. (It is forbidden) for you to gather two sisters in wedlock at the same time. But whatever has happened (in the past), has happened. Allah is the most Forgiving and the most Merciful.

[004:024] (Also forbidden are) women already in wedlock, except those (captive women) your right hand possesses. Allah has decreed that for you! Baring those already mentioned, all other women are lawful for you, provided you seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, and not for illegal sexual liaison. Pay the women you marry, their ‘mehar’ _ (nuptial dowry) _ as a sacred trust. You bear no blame if you pay the ‘mehar’ and later agree upon something else (about the dowry) with mutual consent. Indeed Allah is the all-Knowing and the Wisest.

[004:025] If any one of you lacks the means to wed a free believing woman, he may marry a believing woman among those (captives and slaves) your right hand possesses. Allah is well aware of your (state of) belief; you belong to one another. So, marry them with the permission of their family. Pay the women their ‘mehar’ _ (nuptial dowry) _ according to the customary manner. Let the women enter into wedlock, and not have illegal sexual liaisons, nor have secret paramours. After entering into wedlock, if such women commit a salacious act, (adultery), their punishment would be half of the punishment a free woman (committing the same offense) would receive. This (exemption of marrying captive women) is for the one who fears distress (from a lack of self-restraint). However, it is better for you to be patient and restrain yourself. Allah is the most Forgiving, and the most Merciful.

Answer 2

[4:20] If you wish to marry another wife, in place of your present wife, and you had given any of them a great deal, you shall not take back anything you had given her. Would you take it fraudulently, maliciously, and sinfully?

try to 'get' the meaning of it !........And Btw it states "marriage".....isn't an honourable way of having relationships?/ Like it doesn't say if you want to replace one mistress with an other, and so and so, so what objection you have actualy ???/ we beleive in honest relationship in life........that is "marriage" and this verse give an advise to those couples who could not get along fairy and want to get divorced! and there is nothing wrong with it !! I think this is a beautiful verse which is protecting woman rights ! No?/

As for chaging wives........so its the most difficult thing in islam as compared to other religions....where the woman is just a showpiece or tissue paper. use it and throw it and get a new one ...no boundaries at all !! while in islam women are given a legal status and honored to become a wife and not mistress !

your question stands no meaning so my answer is accordingly !

Answer 3

No, they can't divorce them on whim.
To get married again they have to ask the permission of the first wife and if they don't their second marriage would be against the laws of Islam.
Divorce would require both party's agreement. BUT in some of the countries they don't do this because of their culture that dates back further than Islam.

Answer 4

Wow, you don't stop do you? Anyways, I don't see anything wrong with that statement. The man would like a divorce and he can't take back the dower. Do you want him to take back the dower?
Many men do it (divorce) everywhere even *gasp* America!

Answer 5

Divorce for Muslims is exactly the same process as it is for everyone else. What the verse you have quoted means is that if he decides for whatever valid reason to divorce and marry again the husband cannot take anything he has given to the first wife back, whatever he has given her in the marriage is hers. Muslims divorce the same way as anyone else.......

Answer 6

no it is not easy. It is when life is hell with this woman.No one will distory his life and his sons for only his lust, You see if you heat a woman for a reason or another you will try to look at the good side on her but if you really can`t be with her anymore and to be with her is a damage for her and your kids ,It is better to divoreced not taking from her any money that you give it to her.



[Shakir 4:19] O you who believe! it is not lawful for you that you should take women as heritage against (their) will, and do not straiten them in order that you may take part of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of manifest indecency, and treat them kindly; then if you hate them, it may be that you dislike a thing while Allah has placed abundant good in it.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 4:19]

In pagan Arabia, widows were divided amongst the heirs of a deceased as goods and cattle. The heir either married the widow to some one else and kept her dower, or refused to let her marry unless he was paid a handsome amount as a settlement, or else married her himself. Another manoeuvring was to harass the wives by imprisoning them in their houses in order that they might be forced to claim separation and thus to relinquish their dower or their inheritance. All such barbaric customs were swept aside by this verse.


If the wife is at fault, then it is she who must relinquish her dower, whole or in part, to obtain separation. For details refer to fiqh.


Understanding the biological handicaps of women, men should live with them with tolerance and justice, even if they do not love them, because men may not like a thing, yet Allah might have endued it with goodness. Love, justice, goodwill and fair treatment is the essence of the matrimonial code of Islam.



[Shakir 4:20] And if you wish to have (one) wife in place of another and you have given one of them a heap of gold, then take not from it anything; would you take it by slandering (her) and (doing her) manifest wrong?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 4:20]

It is prohibited to falsely accuse a woman of adultery to obtain a divorce by forfeiting her dowry. For details refer to fiqh.



[Shakir 4:21] And how can you take it when one of you has already gone in to the other and they have made with you a firm covenant?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 4:21] (see commentary for verse 20)
[Shakir 4:22] And marry not woman whom your fathers married, except what has already passed; this surely is indecent and hateful, and it is an evil way.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 4:22]

It has been prohibited to marry the women who were the wives of one's father.

Answer 7

Dump one by just saying "I divorce you" three times.

I could give you the Arabic , but might get a Violation Notice for posting Arabic !

TWO wives at a time is considered superb.... Up to four is still GREAT if you are a moon god worshiper.

Answer 8

To be fair, we in the US have numerous "Brittany Spears" marriages.

You could ask the same of us.

Answer 9

as im reading it i think it means that if you get a new wife you can not take back from her anything you have previously given her.

Answer 10

yes it's easy because it's human nature