why is polygamy allowed in Islam?

Answer 1

The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says,"marry only one".


The Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the phrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one can marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.

Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several wives.

In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.

Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had three wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygyny continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (95% C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.



Average life span of females is more than that of males


By nature males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. A female child has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the germs and diseases better than the male child. For this reason, during the pediatric age itself there are more deaths among males as compared to the females.

During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die due to accidents and diseases than women. The average life span of females is more than that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the world than widowers.



World female population is more than male population


In the USA, women outnumber men by 7.8 million. New York alone has one million more females as compared to the number of males, and of the male population of New York one-third are gays i.e sodomites. The U.S.A as a whole has more than twenty-five million gays. This means that these people do not wish to marry women. Great Britain has four million more females as compared to males. Germany has five million more females as compared to males. Russia has nine million more females than males. God alone knows how many million more females there are in the whole world as compared to males.


Restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not practical


Even if every man got married to one woman, there would still be more than thirty million females in U.S.A who would not be able to get husbands (considering that America has twenty five million gays). There would be more than four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine million females in Russia alone who would not be able to find a husband.

Suppose my sister happens to be one of the unmarried women living in USA, or suppose your sister happens to be one of the unmarried women in USA. The only two options remaining for her are that she either marries a man who already has a wife or becomes public property. There is no other option. All those who are modest will opt for the first.

In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected life. The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one wife, in which women retain their honourable, dignified position in society and lead a protected life.

Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to marry a married man or to become public property. Islam prefers giving women the honourable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the second.

There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted limited polygyny, but it is mainly to protect the modesty of women.
====================================



TO "SSRVJ":
Hindus are more polygynous than Muslims


The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of Woman in Islam’, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961 was 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being illegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there was no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian Law that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the Hindu scriptures.

AND IF THERES ANY VERSE ....WHY DON'T YOU GIVE QUOTATIONS...

Answer 2

The reasons are many.

I will only touch on certain points.

First, when it is said polygamy is allowed in Islam, it is not necessarily mean that it is encouraged.

When a woman married to a man, she will have all the rights of a lawful wife. For example, she can inherit her husband's moneys and properties when the husband passed away.

The second wife of a Muslim, will have rights equal to the first wife. So, the second wife can lawfully inherit the properties of the deceased husband.

Compare to the so-called husband with a single wife but actually has many mistresses. I believe the second Muslim wife is more respected and her rights as a lawful wife is more protected than a woman who is just a mistress.

I have seen some Non-Muslims who have a single wife but have an affair with another woman. Some even have many mistresses. I believe it is more respectable to lawfully marry a woman and make her become a second wife (with all the rights of a lawful wife) rather than have a secret affair with her and make her a mistress.

Answer 3

Polygamy is Allah's way of allowing women to be taken care of. In the beginning when Islam was first beginning and battles were being fought, many women were left widowed after their husbands were killed in action. During pre-Islamic times, the Arabs did not take care of widows and a widow was rarely remarried.

So with no husbands to provide for and take care of the women, the women were forced to beg or prostitute themselves, thus leading to the corruption and downfall of society.

So when Allah commanded that the men could take up to 4 wives, it was based on caring for the women and restoring social order.

Polygamy among Muslims is not common practise these days, even though the Qur'an permits polygamy, it doesn't encourage it as an absolute must. In a polygamous marriage, the man must be absolutely equal when dealing with his wives otherwise he would be committing sin..... the Qur'an then later states that a man can never be equal between his wives, so this effectively discourages polygamy unless one is absolutely sure he can be equal and fair.

"And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphangirls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice."
( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #3)

"You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them (by giving her more of your time and provision) so as to leave the other hanging (i.e. neither divorced nor married). And if you do justice, and do all that is right and fear Allah by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allah is Ever OftForgiving, Most Merciful."
( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #129)

Answer 4

During Prophet Muhammad's(PBUH*) life there were lots of wars and the men were dying in war leaving behind women and orphans. So the Prophet(PBUH*) encouraged his followers to marry more the one woman so the widows and orphans wouldn't starve. The Prophet(PBUH*) himself married widows so they would be provided for and because the Prophet(PBUH*) loved everyone he met. The Prophet(PBUH*) was especially found of children. During the Prophet's(PBUH*) time the women didn't work. They were housewives and mothers. Polygamy is allowed as an option to Muslim men so the women can be taken care of. There are more women in the world then men and the women need to be taken care of and provided for. Many women in the East don't work outside the home so they need someone to provide for them and it'd be wrong not to take more then one wife since then the unmarried women would grow old and wouldn't be mothers. A Muslim man is allowed to take more then one wife if he can treat them all equally and be fair to them all and provide for them all financially. If he can't then he should only marry one woman. The Muslim man has to get permission from his first wife before he marry another woman. Otherwise the marriage is not valid. Women also live longer then men. Many of the Prophets(PBUT*) before Muhammad(PBUH*) also took more then one wife. Prophet Abraham(PBUH*) had three wives, and Prophet Solomon(PBUH*) had 1,000 wives plus 10 concubines. Most Muslim men have only wife as it is easier to take care of one woman and they don't have to worry about their wives not getting along. If a Muslim man does have more then one wife then at most he has two wives. Some reasons a man might take another wife are: 1 his first wife is infertile and he wants children so his wife tells him to marry another woman so he can have children. 2 the wife might be really sick and need help around the house so rather then spending money on a servant he'll just marry another woman.

Answer 5

"Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different phases of the menstrual cycle."

How sexist and wrong is this?!? Just so everyone who actually believes this knows: Yes, women have periods. However, 4-5 days of bleeding a month does not rule our lives.

Furthermore, in today's society because women are allowed to finally openly admit they enjoy sex, women in many cases are able to perform their "wifely duties" more often than men. A woman can have multiples, while men cannot near as often.

Answer 6

If you read the statistics of population you will find that there are 1000 male : 1005 females. Lets assume each male marry one female there will be 5 female without marriage. They have two choices either marry a married man or be a public puberty.
In America there 25 million gays "those people dont marry females", so there more than 25 million females without marriage, they have two choices either marry a married man or become a public puberty where is no honor.

Another thing not any one can marry more than one, you should be fair with both of them or you will be in trouble because god will punish if you were not fair.

Answer 7

A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim men to have more than one spouse while denying the same ‘right’ to women.

Let me first state emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different capabilities and different responsibilities.




Men and women are different, physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different. Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical.

Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with who you can not marry and it is further mentions in Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verse 24 "Also (prohibited are) women already married"

The following points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in Islam:

1. If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such marriages can easily be identified. The father as well as the mother can easily be identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband, only the mother of the children born of such marriages will be identified and not the father. Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of both parents, mother and father. Psychologists tell us that children who do not know their parents, especially their father undergo severe mental trauma and disturbances. Often they have an unhappy childhood. It is for this reason that the children of prostitutes do not have a healthy childhood. If a child born of such wedlock is admitted in school, and when the mother is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two or more names! I am aware that recent advances in science have made it possible for both the mother and father to be identified with the help of genetic testing. Thus this point which was applicable for the past may not be applicable for the present.

2. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman.

3. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different phases of the menstrual cycle.

4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual partners at the same time and has a high chance of acquiring venereal or sexually transmitted diseases which can also be transmitted back to her husband even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case in a man having more than one wife, and none of them having extra-marital sex.

The above reasons are those that one can easily identify. There are probably many more reasons why Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry

Answer 8

Because It has never been "unallowed" by GOD.

Deu 21:15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, [both] the beloved and the hated; and [if] the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
Deu 21:16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit [that] which he hath, [that] he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, [which is indeed] the firstborn:
Deu 21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated [for] the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he [is] the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn [is] his.


Those who use the NT to promote monogamy could use the same book to promote celibacy.

The NT authors thought Jesus was to return in their lifetimes so they thought marriage and procreation would be a waste of time since they would all be immortal within their lifetimes.

They didnt mean to negate marriage, they just said it would be more useful in preparing for Kingdom come.

Now their words have negated Gods commands.

>
.

Answer 9

It's in the Koran just like it is in the Bible.

The Bible says nothing against polygamy and even cites several examples of it. It is only secular law which outlaws polygamy, not Islam and not Christianity.

Answer 10

God is all wise and all wisdom. women now days are become secret lovers or taking advantage by men, some girls get pregnant by their boyfriend who just ran away, Islam gave rights to these women by a marriage contract. not all countries have social security benefits or insurance, there are single women, divorce, or widows who can't find any man to marry or support them. and Islam forbid sex outside of marriage. and at the end it's up to the woman to say Yes or No to such a marriage.

also you have to be very fair, if you buy a car to the 1st wife, you have to buy another car to the 2nd wife. and God said if you can't be fair, then marry only ONE!
Quran Ch4
[3] ..... but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one........


and you will never be fair with women even if you tried.
Quran CH4
[129] You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire.......

and God knows best, and he is all wise and knower.

Answer 11

Afrasiyab.k. says:-"There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas,"

This is an Absolute FRAUD.He has a right to boast about his Religion and not poke his nose in other Religions ,whose Texts he has never Read.Whole world knows in which Religion people are allowed to have 4 Legal wives(CivilCode).When Nizam of Hyderabad was arrested by the Army sent by Sardar Vallabbhai Patel,there were 108 wives to Nizam in his Harem!!!!

Veda very clearly says :-"Dasaasyaam Putraanaam EKAthi Pathi Dasangrithi"= let a man marry only ONE wife and be blessed with 10 children.Let the wife take care of her husband like the eleventh child---EKAa means ONE.---Bhadraachalam Sri.Rama Das describes sri.Rama (Hero of Ramayana) as "OKA maata-Oka Bhaanam-Oka PATHNI.=One word (He will honour that)-One arrow only(it would destroy its target-he would not use second arrow for the same target)--Only ONE WIFE(Sita)---His nick name was EKA PATHNI VRTHAM=to maintain the Religious Sanctity ha had only ONE wife. .In the forests when the Rishis suggested to marry another lady to perform a "Fire Ritual" to win the war against Ravana--"Fire Ritual" can not be performed without the wife,standing nearby and pouring one spoon of water on husband's palm-giving "Consent" to husband to perform the Ritual-even today (August 29,2007,it is the Vedic "Rule")-"Dharma Pathniyaa Saha" is the Veda Mantram(Vedic recitation) -sri.Rama refused to perform the ritual as sri.Sita was not near him."Dharmam'(Righteous conduct is to have only ONE wife-more than One wife is "Violation of Rule.-Kings(Saamrat) were permitted to have more than one wife,because they need children to be the "heir apparents"(Yuva Raja) to rule the country after the King(Dasaratha,Krishna etc).For others it was considered "Delinquency-Social mis-behavior".Sri.Rama wanted to follow the Vedic Dictum.