by Dr. Ali Shehata
Polygyny
Polygyny is the marital practice of a man marrying more than one woman at the same time. Differs from polygamy where either a man or woman can have multiple spouses. Polygyny is thus restricted to men.
Scriptural evidence indicates that polygyny, though not extremely common, was neither particularly unusual among the ancient Hebrews, and without doubt not prohibited or discouraged. The Bible documents approximately forty polygynists, including the Prophets Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Esau, and David pbut. The Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) does specifically discuss polygyny in other cases too—for example in the practice of levirate marriage, wherein a man was required to marry and support his deceased brother's widow:
If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. [NIV, Deuteronomy 25:5-6]
Today, Judaism has forbidden polygamy as a result of a rabbinic ban declared in the 11th century. Some Jewish sects though—Sephardic and Mizrahic—discontinued polygyny only more recently, as a result of immigration to countries where it was forbidden. The State of Israel has outlawed polygynous marriages, but existing polygynous families who emigrated from nations where this practice is legal are exempted from this law.
Christians on the other hand have historically prohibited polygyny. St. Augustine, for example, discussed the polygyny found in the Old Testament in The Good of Marriage, saying that though it “was lawful among the ancient fathers; whether it be lawful now also, I would not hastily pronounce.” St. Augustine did not pass judgment on the Biblical patriarchs, but he also did not permit polygyny based upon their example referring instead to the common practice of modern society in his time. He wrote, “Now indeed in our time, and in keeping with Roman custom, it is no longer allowed to take another wife, so as to have more than one wife living.”
At the same time though, Christian reformers who came later seeking to remodel Christian doctrine, based solely on the Bible, have sometimes, if only temporarily, accepted polygamy as a Biblical practice. For example, in a letter to the Saxon Chancellor Gregor Brück, the Protestant father Martin Luther stated that he could not “forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture.” Luther, M. (1972). Luther's Works: Letters II. Edited by Jaroslav Jan Pelikan et al., Missouri: Concordia Pub. House
In most western societies today, many have commented that although polygyny may be prohibited, the end result of a man having more than one female partner is alive and well. The only difference is that only one of these women will have the security and rights of a wife, whereas the others, be they mistresses or girlfriends, may be “dumped” at any moment without any rights or concern for their future. (Bartlett, N. (2015, Feb 19). Adultery: Which countries are most unfaithful? Retrieved from: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/adulterycountries-most-unfaithful-5188791)
In Islam, polygyny is permissible, but not required. God says in the Quran:
And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls 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 ... That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice. {4:3}
Accordingly, a man is allowed to be married to up to four wives at one time, provided that he meets two conditions. The first is that he must be equitable and fair between the wives,
… But if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one. {4:3}
Thus, if a man is afraid that he will not be able to treat his wives justly if he marries more than one, then it is forbidden for him to marry more than one. What is meant by fairness here is that he should treat his wives equally in terms of financial expenditures: clothing, food, and time spent with each.
As regards being equitable in terms of love, he is not accountable for that, because he has no control over his heart. This is what is mentioned in the verse,
You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives, even if it is your desire. {4:129}
Ibn Kathir reports in his exegesis of the Quran regarding the meaning of this passage: “O people! You will never be able to be perfectly just between wives in every respect. Even when one divides the nights justly between wives, there will still be various degrees concerning love, desire and sexual intimacy,’ as Ibn `Abbas, `Ubaydah As-Salmani, Mujahid, Al-Hasan AlBasri and Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim stated. Imam Ahmad and the collectors of the Sunan recorded that `A'ishah said, ‘The Messenger of Allah used to treat his wives equally and proclaim, ‘O Allah! This is my division in what I own, so do not blame me for what You own and I do not own,’ referring to his heart.” [Tafseer ibn Kathir]
The second essential requirement is the financial and physical ability to get married in the first place. This is evidenced in the following verse:
And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until God enriches them of His Bounty. {24:33}
Thus, a man has to be able to provide for every wife and cannot require them to live in the same house as is sometimes done by some ignorant and careless people today. He must also have the physical stamina to be able to satisfy each wife as necessary, for it would violate the equitability condition for him to give intimacy to one wife and deny it to the others though they desire it.
Statistically speaking, polygamous marriages constitute a minority of all marriages amongst Muslims today*, even though it is a common subject of non-Muslim fascination and questions. The financial burden alone limits the practice for many, and as Mark Twain once reportedly said when asked to cite a Scriptural reference that forbids polygamy, he responds with, “No man can serve two masters.”
*Stack, PF. (2001) Polygamy: Not as Rare as You May Think. The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved from: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/02/Polygamy-Not-As-Rare-As-YouMay-Think.aspx
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