The Misinterpreted Law of Polygamy in Islam

 

Assalamu 'alaikum wr. wb. Dear friends at The Islam Corner, lately we have come across a campaign promoting polygamy through training on building harmonious and blissful polygamous households. These interactive trainings conducted by practitioners of polygamy usually come with a hefty fee, as the ultimate outcome is the practice of polygamy. Our question is whether polygamy is a religious commandment in Islam. Thank you. Wassalamu 'alaikum wr. wb. 

The Misinterpreted Law of Polygamy in Islam

Sincere questioner and readers, may Allah bestow His blessings upon all of us. Some laypeople believe that Islam supports the practice of polygamy. This view can be understood because Surah An-Nisa, verse 3 of the Quran literally states:

فَانْكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا

This translates to, "Marry 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 slaves] that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice," (Surah An-Nisa, verse 3). However, in reality, Islam does not command polygamy. Islam neither obligates nor encourages polygamy. This has been a consensus among scholars (ijma') as stated by Sheikh M. Khatib As-Syarbini in Mughnil Muhtaj:

إنَّمَا لَمْ يَجِبْ لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى فَانْكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُمْ مِنْ النِّسَاءِ إذ الْوَاجِبُ لَا يَتَعَلَّقُ بِالِاسْتِطَابَةِ وَلِقَوْلِهِ مَثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ وَلَا يَجِبُ الْعَدَدُ بِالْإِجْمَاعِ

This translates to, "The obligation (wajib) is not based on the verse 'Marry women of your choice,' as obligations are not related to choosing. The phrase 'two or three or four' does not obligate the specific number by consensus," (See Sheikh M. Khatib As-Syarbini, Mughnil Muhtaj, Beirut, Darul Fikr, without a specified year, vol. 3, page 125).

Sheikh Wahbah Az-Zuhayli believes that polygamy is not the ideal structure of a Muslim household. The ideal structure is monogamy. According to him,

 polygamy is an exception in the practice of a household. This practice can be followed due to general and specific reasons. Therefore, only exceptional circumstances allow someone to pursue polygamy.

إن نظام وحدة الزوجة هو الأفضل وهو الغالب وهو الأصل شرعاً، وأما تعدد الزوجات فهو أمر نادر استثنائي وخلاف الأصل، لا يلجأ إليه إلا عند الحاجة الملحة، ولم توجبه الشريعة على أحد، بل ولم ترغب فيه، وإنما أباحته الشريعة لأسباب عامة وخاصة

This translates to, "Monogamy is the best system of marriage. It is the prevailing and fundamental practice in Islamic law. On the other hand, polygamy is rare and exceptional, contrary to the fundamental practice. It should only be resorted to in urgent and dire circumstances. The Sharia did not oblige it on anyone, nor did it encourage it. Rather, the Sharia permitted it due to general and specific reasons," (See Sheikh Wahbah Az-Zuhayli, Al-Fiqhul Islami wa Adillatuh, Beirut, Darul Fikr, second edition, 1985 M/1405 H, vol. 7, page 169).

The logic of these scholars in understanding the command of polygamy in Surah An-Nisa, verse 3 is based on the historical and social context of the Arab society at that time, known as asbab al-nuzul (occasion of revelation). Scholars understand that Surah An-Nisa, verse 3 is not a command for polygamy, but rather a permission. It was intended to limit the number of wives among the Arab society and other societies that had no limits at that time.

Surah An-Nisa, verse 3 limits the maximum number of wives to four, reducing it from an unlimited number, but it does not encourage increasing the number of wives from one to four. Based on the socio-historical factors of Arab marriages at that time, scholars interpret Surah An-Nisa, verse 3 as a permissive allowance, not a command for polygamy, as stated by Sheikh M. Khudhari:

ولم يكن عند العرب حد يرجعون إليه في عدد الزوجات فربما تزوج أحدهم عشرا فوضع القرآن حدا وسطا فأباح التعدد لمن لم يخف أن يجور في معاملة نسائه قال تعالى في سورة النساء

This translates to, "In the Arab society, there was no limit on the number of wives. One person could marry ten wives. Therefore, the Quran set a moderate limit and allowed polygamy for those who were not afraid of committing injustice in their treatment of wives," (Sheikh M. Khudhari, Tarikhut Tasyri‘ Al-Islami, Beirut, Darul Fikr, 1995 M/1415 H, page 42).

Sheikh M. Khudhari also adds that according to Allah, the legislator of Sharia, poly

gamy is not a fundamental rite that must be practiced:

وليس تعدد الزوجات من الشعائر الأساسية التي لا بد منها في نظر الشارع الإسلامي بل هو من المباحات التي يرجع أمرها إلى المكلف إن شاء فعل وإن شاء ترك ما لم يتعد حدود الله

This translates to, "Polygamy is not one of the fundamental rites that must be practiced according to the viewpoint of Islamic law. It is among the permissible matters that depend on the choice of the responsible person. They may practice it if they wish, or they may abandon it as long as they do not exceed the limits set by Allah," (Sheikh M. Khudhari, Tarikhut Tasyri‘ Al-Islami, Beirut, Darul Fikr, 1995 M/1415 H, page 43).

In conclusion, Surah An-Nisa, verse 3 cannot be used as evidence for a command to practice polygamy. It merely permits polygamy, which was used at that time to reduce or limit the number of wives in Arab society that had no restrictions. Unfortunately, a small number of individuals use Surah An-Nisa, verse 3 as evidence to promote polygamy. This is a brief answer, and we are open to receiving suggestions and criticisms from readers.

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