The Quranic Permission
Islam explicitly permits Muslim men to marry up to four wives simultaneously. This practice, rooted in Quran 4:3, creates systematic inequality between men and women in marriage and has significant implications for women's dignity and rights.
"And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]." — Quran 4:3
The Basic Rule
Up to Four Wives
Islamic law permits men to have:
- Up to four permanent wives simultaneously
- Unlimited concubines ("those your right hand possesses" - sex slaves)
- No numerical limit on temporary marriages (mut'a) in Shi'a Islam
Women, conversely, may have only one husband at a time. This asymmetry reveals the Quranic view of marriage as serving male benefit.
The "Justice" Condition
The verse includes a condition: "if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one." However, Quran 4:129 immediately undercuts this:
"And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging." — Quran 4:129
The Quran acknowledges that equal treatment is impossible, yet still permits polygamy.
Muhammad's Example
Muhammad's Many Wives
Muhammad himself had at least 11 wives (some sources say 13), despite limiting other Muslims to four. His wives included:
- Khadijah (his first wife, died before he took others)
- Aisha (married at age 6, consummated at 9)
- Sawda
- Hafsa
- Zaynab bint Khuzaymah
- Umm Salama
- Zaynab bint Jahsh (his adopted son's ex-wife)
- Juwayriya
- Umm Habiba
- Safiyya (Jewish captive whose husband he killed)
- Maymuna
Plus numerous concubines, including Mariyah the Copt.
Allah's Special Permission
Quran 33:50 gives Muhammad special permission to have unlimited wives:
"O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation and those your right hand possesses from what Allah has returned to you [of captives] and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet [and] if the Prophet wishes to marry her, [this is] only for you, excluding the [other] believers." — Quran 33:50
The Impact on Women
Psychological Harm
Polygamy creates inherent jealousy and competition between co-wives. Even Muhammad's wives experienced this:
"The Prophet used to stay (for a period) in the house of Zaynab bint Jahsh and he would drink honey in her house. Hafsa and I agreed that when the Prophet entered upon either of us, she would say, 'I smell the bad smell of Maghafir (a nasty-smelling gum) on you; have you eaten Maghafir?' When he entered upon one of us, she said that to him. He replied, 'No, but I drank honey in the house of Zaynab bint Jahsh, and I will never drink it again.'" — Sahih Bukhari 7:63:192
This shows the jealousy and manipulation in Muhammad's polygamous household.
Economic Disparity
Polygamy creates economic hardship for women:
- Resources divided among multiple wives and their children
- Competition for husband's time and attention
- Reduced financial security for each wife
Legal Inequality
Women cannot have multiple husbands, creating a fundamental legal inequality. The justifications for this (lineage concerns) still treat women as property for producing legitimate heirs.
Modern Practice
Where It's Legal
Polygamy remains legal in most Muslim-majority countries:
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait (fully legal)
- Egypt, Jordan, Morocco (legal with restrictions)
- Indonesia, Malaysia (legal with court permission)
- Many African Muslim-majority nations
Secret Polygamy
Even where illegal or restricted, polygamy continues through:
- Religious marriages without civil registration
- Temporary marriages (mut'a)
- Keeping second wives abroad
The Apologetic Arguments
"It Protects Widows and Orphans"
Muslims argue polygamy protects vulnerable women. Problems:
- It could be restricted to widows (it's not)
- Financial support doesn't require marriage
- It's often practiced with young women, not widows
- Rich men marry multiple young wives, not to help them but for pleasure
"It's Better Than Adultery"
Some argue polygamy prevents adultery. This assumes:
- Men cannot control themselves (insulting to men)
- Women exist to satisfy male desires (objectifying women)
- Adultery is inevitable without polygamy (false)
Biblical Contrast
Jesus Christ affirmed monogamy as God's design:
"Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." — Matthew 19:4-6
Note: "the two" become "one flesh"—not three or four. Paul wrote:
"Let each man have his own wife and let each woman have her own husband." — 1 Corinthians 7:2
The biblical standard is one man, one woman in covenantal marriage.
Questions to Consider
- How can polygamy be compatible with gender equality when only men can have multiple spouses?
- If equal treatment is impossible (Quran 4:129), why does Allah permit it?
- Why did Muhammad need 11+ wives if polygamy is only for protecting widows?
- How do women in polygamous marriages maintain dignity and equal partnership?
- Can a practice that treats women as interchangeable and divisible respect their inherent worth?
Conclusion
Islamic polygamy systematically privileges men over women, allowing men multiple wives while restricting women to one husband. Despite claims about protecting women, it primarily serves male sexual desires and treats women as divisible property rather than equal partners.
Related articles: Women's Inheritance | Temporary Marriage | Muhammad and Aisha