Why only four wives?

[MujahidAbdullah]

Why was the number of wives set at 4?

Have we been given this kowledge or is this like the question 'why is maghrib only 3 rakats?'

[al-Kankohi]

Why was the number of wives set at 4?

Have we been given this kowledge or is this like the question 'why is maghrib only 3 rakats?'

Why is the sky blue? Allah knows best.

[al-Kankohi]

Why do we have two eyes and not four? Allah knows best.

[Sulaiman84]

If you fear that you will not be able to be just to the orphans (in your care and you also fear that you will be unable to be just between your eight, ten or more wives, as was common during the early days throughout the world), then marry two, three, or four women with whom you are pleased (to have as wives). (However) If you (still) fear that you will be unable to be just (between your wives in spending your money or time on them), then (marry) just one.....

Nisaa:3

The truth of the matter is that a religion or law which aims to establish an infra-structure of chastity and modesty and considers the eradication of adultery as necessary has no way out except that it permits plurality of wives. Apart from being a preventive measure against adultery, it serves as a remedial approach to the problem of comparatively larger female population in some areas as compared to that of men. If such permission was not granted, mistresses and pros*titutes will proliferate. This is why nations which do not permit plurality of wives must live in rampant adultery (calling it 'free sex' hardly changes the reality). Even in our own time, if we look at the state of nations in Europe and America, we will see that they look down on what they call polygamy and put a ban on plurality of wives, but they permit a man to practice adultery with as many women as he can get under the cover of 'friendship', (and unlimited are the euphimisms invented to give it other names, such as, 'relationship', 'affair', 'consenting adults', 'union', 'partner' to get around the ban). Saying no to marriage and yes to adultery is certainly very strange!
To be short, we can say that the custom of taking a large number of wives was prevailing before Islam without any imposition of limits. The history of nations and beliefs shows that no religion or law had drawn a line in this matter, neither the Jews and Christians, nor the Hindus and Aryans or the Zoarastrians.
During the early period of Islam, this custom continued without being limited. As a result, people initially took too many wives to satisfy their greed. Later on they could not do justice to all of them and these wives of theirs lived like prisoners bound in the chains of marriage. Under such conditions, the idea of an equitable treatment of wives was practically non-existant. It was all a matter of personal choice or whim which could make the darling of the day a history of tomorrow. The concern for standing rights was a far cry.

It was the Holy Qur'an which stopped this great injustice prevailing in the human society at large. It restricted the plurality or multiplicity of wives by declaring that keeping more than four women under the bond of marriage was forbidden (haram). In addition to that, stern warning was given against any contravention of the Divine command which emphatically demanded that equality in fulfilling the rights of women taken into the bond of marriage at the same time must be maintained faithfully.

http://www.classicalislamgroup.co.uk...afseer/s4-v3-3

[London786]

As one shaykh marrying once is mentioned after 2,3,4...so polygamy is normal and monogomy abnormal. May I ask why the scholars of the indopak many of them were so averse to marrying more than once? They stress the need for looking after each of them equally....no-one disagrees with that...but why were some mashaikh so against it. I remember a big timer came from India to the UK and blazed the ulema who were marrying many times and he was totally against this marrying of young ladies by older men etc.

[UmHasan]

Most people living in societies where polygyny is not the norm are not able to be just and equal to two wives, and maybe that's why so much emphasis is put on that side of it. Equality and justice is emphasised just as strongly in the Quranic verse quoted above. But, obviously there are those that manage beautifully and are blessed with a happy family life and pious offspring because of it.

[DefendingIslam]

As one shaykh marrying once is mentioned after 2,3,4...so polygamy is normal and monogomy abnormal.

This was also mentioned by the Saudi Salafi Shaykh Ibn Baz, that the structure of marriage is such that men should marry more than one wife and have many, many children if they can afford to do so.

All in all, the injunction for polygamy assumes that the men will be dying at extraordinarily higher rates than women since the men should be outside their homes much more than women (and thus the risks of death would be increased). Just as one obvious example, many of the menfolk would be in Jihad, which should be their obligation, and this would obviously lead to many widows who need new husbands to take care of them. Of course this does not mean that the rule is followed only when the wisdom behind it is present, but the systems in Islam are designed to work together and not separately.

[Abu Zayd al-Atharee]

As one shaykh marrying once is mentioned after 2,3,4...so polygamy is normal and monogomy abnormal. May I ask why the scholars of the indopak many of them were so averse to marrying more than once? They stress the need for looking after each of them equally....no-one disagrees with that...but why were some mashaikh so against it. I remember a big timer came from India to the UK and blazed the ulema who were marrying many times and he was totally against this marrying of young ladies by older men etc.

As salaam alaikum,

Allah says, 'And if you fear that cannot be just then marry one.'

The religion of Islam places great emphasis on justice and equality. One who is not just, and has no regard for equality, will be met with a great burden on the Day of Judgement. I think those with a focus on the Akhirah probably become angry when they see individuals being quick to marry more than on wife, but at the same time being extremely negligent with regards being just and equal among them. And if the 'Ulama are doing such then what will the common folk do?

[omerhayat]

Our heart has 4 valves. One wife for each.

[Idil_]

Our heart has 4 valves. One wife for each.

Umm yeah right



LOL@'' monogamy IS abnormal ''...subhanAllah.