Polygamy in Islam

Truly one wife is the common thing in Islam and about 98% of Muslims have one wife each. But sometimes certain conditions force man whether Muslim or not to marry another wife. Such unusual conditions are chronic illnesses of the wife, sterility or impatience of men in the days of menstruation or after delivery. Anyhow cure should be made according to the case. One of the leading Muslim scholars said that having several legal wives is far better than having illegal mistresses as is the case in the Western world.

Polygamy can be considered a solution for those societies which have an excess of woman especially after wars. No doubt it is better for women to accept a married man than accepting his relation as a mistress who cannot claim any rights for herself of for children from the said man. A woman would also be more honorable than being left a spinster in this life which often is endangered with poverty and need. Polygamy in some communities is the best way to increase posterity especially in the circumstances where there is need for working hands for work as in the agrarian countries or for war.

Muslims have the responsibility of struggle in the cause of their call. Polygamy in this case can be solution to make up for the numbers of people lost in battles. It also compensates many of the wives who lose their husbands in war. It is the way for preventing the great excess in the females who otherwise would be left without marriage.

Polygamy on the other hand is not an Islamic invention. It was known in all civilizations in the Old Testament and recognized by the New Testament except the bishop who cannot practice his religious life with polygamy. In that case, he should do with one wife.

The ancient civilizations unlimited polygamy but Islam limited polygamy and made rules and conditions for it. Islam also regulated the slavery system. Islam allowed Muslims to have some slave women after wars or a great increase in the numbers of women. Men in this case looked after these slaves, protected them and gave their names to their children from these slaves. In this case, these slaves would not be a play thing in the hands of everybody. They would not sell their bodies in order to satisfy their economical and psychological needs. It would be a great burden to society if there were too many illegitimate births.