The Concept of Polygamy in Islam - Research Paper Example

? Number] The Concept of Polygamy: Multi Marriages in Islam Introduction: Multi-marriages or polygamy is an old, traditional and common practice among human beings irrespective of the religion followed by individuals in diversified regions. Phenomenon of polygamy exists in various cultural and religious setups such as, among Assyrians, Hindus, Christians, Romans, Persians, Babylonians, Athenians, Hebrews, and Muslims. There is a specific type of consensus about the permission of polygamy in the religion of Islam followed by Muslims. Polygamy is simply a legal and religious permission in Islam for men to marry four women at a time. Although this command is more like an option, but not an obligation to all Muslims. In Islam and other religions, polygamy has been established and valued as an important institution (Philips and Jones). Even, before the advent of Islam in the Arab countries, the concept of polygamy used to exist, but it was in its worst form particularly because of illiteracy, absence of social or civic sense, and status of women in the society. When Islam came to light in the Arab countries, a number of issues were resolved; one of the most important one was the status of women in the society and matters of multi-marriages. Islam has redeveloped the institution of marriage as it has allowed men to marry four women for the purpose of helping needy women (Philips and Jones). It has furthermore ordained men to give equal rights to women in every regard. This paper aims to discuss a crucial matter of polygamy within the context of Islamic way of lifestyle elaboration and guidelines of Prophet Mohammad PBUH, the messenger of God. Additionally, we shall also spotlight the status of women before and after Islam, their rights, and orders sent by God in Quranic verses regarding welfare of widows, needy and divorced women. The role of Muslim men is to protect the rights of women by following obligations of God. Polygamy Before and After: A Historical Reference The status of women before and after Islam is entirely different, and it also varies in several Muslim states. Differentiation in the status of women in Islam interprets laws and religious teachings of Islam in different manners. Historic data about Islamic teachings and status of women in the Arab countries reveals that before the advent of Islam women were highly devalued in societies. Attitude of men towards women was extremely negative as women had no dignity, position or honor in the society. Prior to Islam, the status of women was sighted as nothing, but a household good. Women, before the advent of Islam were treated as animal and bought and sold like any other non-living item (Khan). On the contrary, it can be said that some women who belonged to the noble tribes and valuable families of Arab had respect and dignity in the society up to some extent, unlike ordinary women. For instance, Khadija bint Khuwaylid, who was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn Asad belonged to the famous and most powerful tribe of Banu Quraish. Khadija had gained respect in the society mainly because of her strong family background as her father was a successful businessman and powerful merchant of that time and Khadija inherited all wealth and dignity from her father (Haylamaz). But, such respect and value in the society was limited to only few women of strong and powerful tribes, who used to have control over different localities in the Arab land. Whereas, overall criterion was that women was considered as a hateful object, birth of a girl in any family was considered as a curse and people used to bury their daughters alive after birth. On such cruelty, God criticized and stated in Quran, "When news is brought to one of them, of the birth of a female child, his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief! With the shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil choice they decide on?" [Nobel Quran 16:58] In another verse, God questioned," And when the female (infant) buried alive-is questioned for what crime she was killed". [Nobel Quran: 81] These verses clearly depicts that in the religion of Islam, burying and killing of new born female baby was unbearable and God strictly forbidden such cruel acts and ordered to stop such inhuman practices immediately. People happened to be illiterate and ill-mannered at that time that they used to believe, there should be no space for women in a society. Male dominance was at the extreme level before the religion of Islam in Arab. Instead of making improvements in such an extremist environment, situation was getting in worse by the time and unfortunately, women's position in the society got even more critical (Khan). Islam has specially stressed on the matter of provision of respect to women. The Prophet of Islam has delivered Allah’s message about respect through the Quranic revelations. Mohammad PBUH emphasized on equal treatment of both men and women. The founder of religion himself was kind and sympathetic towards women and he always taught people to respect women and avoid exploitation of women's rights. Islamic teachings and guidelines of Prophet Mohammad PBUH all focused on equal treatment along with full religious responsibilities. However, there were still some sorts of restrictions on women after Islam particularly in terms of relationships with other men and conformation to veiling. Islamic teachings talked about women honor and valuable place in the society with the instruction that the birth of a girl is a blessing for her father, mother and the entire family (Ali). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) tried his level best to secure an honorable position of women in the society, as a number of Quranic verses have been revealed regarding equality of men and women in Islam. For instance Quran states "O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord, who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of the same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women" [Nobel Quran 4:1]. In this verse, it is clearly mentioned that men and women both are of the same kind, and no one is superior over other. Islamic teachings have taught all followers that God does not judge its people with their money, fame or gender, but actions of a person decides good and bad for him. It has been repeatedly stated in different verses of Quran to emphasize the equality of men and women in sight of God. Such as, the Quran states "So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You precede one from another..." [Noble Quran 3:195] "Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to their actions." [Noble Quran 16:97] Woman according to the Quran is not blamed for Adam's first mistake. Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both repented, and both were forgiven. [Noble Quran 2:36] Before, Islam no one ever thought of treating women with justice, but after Islam God states in Quran, "You shall hand over to the orphans their rightful properties. Do not substitute the bad for the good, and do not consume their properties by combining them with yours. This would be a gross injustice" [Surah Nisa 4:2]. Aforementioned Quranic verses help in understanding issues of below average position of women in the Arab world was appropriately addressed in the religious teachings brought by the Prophet of God - Mohammad (PBUH). Moreover, after Islam, grounds for polygamy were set to provide protection to women and also for the reason that they do not get involved in sinful relationships with other men such as, prostitution. Islam permitted polygamy as a solution to resolve many social, economical, and cultural issues that become burden for men and women in some crucial circumstances. For instance, during wars a large number of men were killed that resulted in outnumbering of men for women; thus, polygamy was promoted so that every woman can have shelter and moral protection of a man. Additionally, it should be understood that the system of polygamy with respect to Islamic guidelines is moral in nature and perfectly matches with worldly demand or human systems (Philips and Jones). Polygamy can be considered as moral because it does not permit man to have sexual relationships with any woman he wishes. A Muslim man is not allowed to have sexual intercourse with more than four women (wives) unless they are bound with marriage and even it has been ordered that one must announce his legal bond with any woman among limited audience at least. Family members and caregivers of the woman should know about the lawful sexual relationship with the particular man. Also, a legal relationship of man and woman should be registered according to the current legal system of the society in a specialized court of marriage contracts (Philips and Jones). Islamic teachings further provide guidance for the matter of celebrating happy event with simplicity, but special dinners and invitation to close friends and expression of contentment by playing hand drums can also be arranged to show happiness and hospitality. God has given man power to lessen the burden of the society by sheltering a woman with his name, moral, emotional and physical support. On the basis of legal marriage, a bridegroom provides dower, house hold necessary objects and other expenses along with the social benefits of family establishment. Additionally, it has also been commanded that a man is not solely to have intercourse without fulfilling other responsibilities such as, assisting in troubles faced by a woman during pregnancy or birth process of an infant. Husband is not allowed to leave his wife alone to bear the pain of pregnancy, but he is obliged to provide moral support along with all expenses for delivery of the child (Philips and Jones). A husband is responsible to recognize his own born child as begotten of legal sexual intercourse and present his own child to the community as a sweet fruit of sincere love relationship. In Quran, it has been clearly stated, "If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers—you may marry two, three, or four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship" [Surah Nisa 4:3]. Permission for polygamy has been granted to men in Islam in order to provide moral, financial, and every other sort of support to women. A man can marry four women at a time only if he treats them all with justice and equality otherwise he should marry only one. Likewise, Quran also says," You are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire: But turn not away (from a woman) altogether, so as to leave her (as it were) Hanging (in the air) if ye come to a friendly understanding, and practice self-restraint, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful" [Surah Nisa: 129]. Throughout this verse, God conveyed Muslims a message that if a man cannot deal equally with all of his wives, however he wishes to do so the he should stay with the one he has and understand the fact that the core ruling of Islam prefers monogamy. This makes it evident that polygamy is an exceptional case in Islamic marriage system. In another Verse God states, "If you wish to marry another wife, in place of your present wife, and you had given any of them a great deal, you shall not take back anything you had given her. Would you take it fraudulently, maliciously, and sinfully?" [Surah Nisa 4:20] Polygamy has also been granted to women, but with a slight difference in a way that a woman cannot marry two, three or four at a time, but she can marry four times if her husband dies, or divorced her (Philips and Jones). It has been noticed that before Islam, men used to marry hundred wives and women had no right to food, cloth, protection, inheritance, love, and other necessities of a life. There were no laws concerning marital matter or rights of women. Permission for polygamy has been granted for a number of reasons; no doubt protection of women was the foremost one. However, desire for children and infertility among women had become an important reason behind the success of polygamy in Islam as men got a legal opportunity to marry another woman if he could not have a child from his first wife. Even though, this reason has not been mentioned in any of the Islamic teachings to marry with second woman for the desire of having off spring, but God has instructed to stay thankful to Him in all conditions and he might fulfill your wish at the correct time. It has been evidenced from Islamic books in which scholars have mentioned that once Zakariya asked God, "O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quit decrepit from old age? [Quran 19:8] (Ali and Mills) God replied back, "So (it will be): thy Lord saith, that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou hadst been nothing!" [Quran: 19:9] (Ali and Mills) The above Quranic reference shows that menopause and infertility cannot halt the sexual or intimate relationship between married Muslim couple. Furthermore, it has been explored that during war times a serious matter of sexual desires and satisfaction was discussed among Prophet Mohammad and his followers. His followers asked that when they left their homes for their tour of military expeditions, they suffer sexual deprivation due to physical separation from their wives. Thus, should they get themselves castrate, but the messenger of Allah refused to allow so and instructed them to give a shelter and needful to women by marrying them for considerations of a certain time frame. He further elaborated that in order to avoid sinful acts you may take your wife along with you on military tour, like Prophet himself did and always had a wife or two to accompany him on his tour as this had allow army men to contract with their wives for pleasure (A. Ali). However, most of the times Muslim army men did not use to take their wives along because of protection reasons and important matters like nursing of children and house hold responsibilities. Additionally, scholars have written that during war time when Muslims invaded countries and won battles, enemies attempted to divert attention of soldiers by all means. Specifically, enemy groups used to offer slave girls to Muslim soldiers for sexual intercourse. But, honest followers of Islam and companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) never took advantage for pleasure on such occasions. In fact, they used to buy those slave girls from their owners and freed them from slavery of their cruel masters.  It is noteworthy that in Islam sexuality has been reemphasized in wholly positive manner as the sexual intercourse has been encouraged between married couple. A famous Hadith of the Prophet is one in which he said: "A man is recompensed for the sexual act he performs with his wife," and when it was questioned to Apostle of God: "Is the person rewarded for satisfying his passions?" the Prophet answered: "Do you not see that if he were to satisfy it in a prohibited manner he would be committing a sin?"  So if he satisfies it in a lawful manner he will be recompensed."  (I take it that the same applies to a Muslim man’s satisfying his passion with his slave girl, captive of war, or concubine as well, because sexual intercourse with any of them does not fall in the category of "a prohibited manner.") (A. Ali). Here, it can be clearly understood that Islam does not allow having sexual relationships with any women other than wives. As far as the issue of children birth and fertility is concerned, sufficient guidelines have also been provided by God and His Messenger Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). According to researches and facts discussed by religious scholars it can be understood that in Islam it is strictly prohibited to discourage the production of children. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) particularly emphasized on this fact as he wanted to expand the Muslim Umah with the birth of more and more Muslim children. In several verses, Allah has talked about fertility and birth of children as he forbids controlling the fertility. He rather ordained to produce more offspring (Ammar). The Qur'an says:" Money and Children are the decoration of life" (18:46). The Qur'an also says: "Kill not your children for fear of want . . . We will provide sustenance for them as well as for you . . . Verily the Killing of them is a great sin" (17:31). Population control has been strictly forbidden in Islam because according to revelations of God reproduction symbolizes power and sovereignty of Allah Almighty on the entire universe. Humans have no right to interfere in the natural cycle of birth as it totally depends upon the will of God. Like Quran highlights "And we cause who we will to rest in the wombs" [Nobel Quran 22:5]. Islamic teachings emphasized on the fact that Allah is the only super power and He controls different aspects of human fertility. Also, gender of the offspring is controlled by God, so parents of offspring should not get their infants aborted after knowing about the gender. For this condition God states in His holy book, "He creates what he wills. He bestows male or female. Or He bestows both males and females" [Nobel Quran 42:49]. Prophet Mohammad also further spread the same theme as he aimed to expand the Muslim population as per the commands of God. In one of his hadith: he said, "An ugly woman who is fertile is a better wife than a beauty who is barren" (Ammar). Current scenario and Polygamy in Islam: Above referred verses and sayings of Prophet explicitly pinpoint that proper guidelines are provided by God and his Messenger in terms of women’s rights and the issue of polygamy in the religion. However, in today's era conditions have undergone intense changes in terms of social, domestic, economic, and other aspects of life. These days it has become quite difficult for one man to marry four women and treat them all equally particularly in terms of economic or financial equality. Additionally, prior researches as well as current literature has revealed that due to an opportunity of marrying three or four women, men have turned selfish and most of the time they attempt to do so for the sake of personal satisfaction. However, the main purpose was mainly to provide shelter to needy women who were widows or made divorcee. Dr Mustafa El-Siba'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said of the system of polygamy, "Man distributes and lessens his lust to a certain extent, but he multiplies his burdens, troubles and responsibilities to an unlimited extent." Certainty, it is a moral system protecting morals, and it is a human system honoring mankind" (Ymsite). No doubt permission to polygamy has been granted as a blessing for men and women both in order to keep them away from the sinful acts. But the burden of multiple wives and the competitive environment of today's society has made it a curse for those who suffer injustice due to selfishness, lust, and immoral behavior of spouses specifically men. In my viewpoint, polygamy in today's era is entirely a bad idea because of the difficulties that both men and women face after entering into marital relationship, which do not allow one man to fulfill responsibilities and rights of all his wives. Beside responsibility factor, I strongly believe that polygamy endangers matrimonial happiness, honesty, self-control, oneness and unity between a husband and wives. Along with unusual complexities, situations of all wives and children with two, or three different mothers also create bewildering responsibilities and burden on a man. Increasing demands of time and expenses from all wives and children can negatively influence ease and pleasure of a life. I have personally observed that individuals who are satisfied and happy with their lives with two or three wives, their children do not practically heed to religious obligations and moral responsibilities. Mostly, I have observed and heard that man having more than one wife takes an interest in one particular wife then he neglects the rights and responsibilities of others. Same happens with children from most favorite wife, who receives most of love, affection, time and all other happiness from their father, while on the other hand children from a neglected wife remain deprived of their basic rights from a father's side. In a Quranic verse, this situation has been addressed as "leave her alone like someone hanging" (Mutahhari). I think polygamy is more like an addition of cruelty and savagery because polygamy can explicitly ruins someone's life if not handled properly. During the era of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) the situation was entirely different from today's society. During that time, women was treated as animal and bought and sold as slaves, therefore back then purpose of marrying four women was noble. Honest and sincere followers of Islam had adopted this opportunity with purity and dignified intentions and not for the sake of sexual pleasure with different women. In my perception, these days not many want to get married with any woman for a noble cause such as welfare of a widow or a woman without shelter of a husband. Unfortunately, in our society individuals wrongly take benefit of polygamy in the religion. Mostly individuals tend to marry with unmarried young girl or woman for the sake of pleasure and sometimes for financial advantages. Additionally, it has been sadly observed that men take advantage of polygamy to gain citizenship of another country. Married men when flew to other countries, where they want to enjoy all facilities legally, they attempt to marry with citizen woman in order to become legal member of that society. In most cases, wife who is left behind with children in the native land remains unaware and suffers physical and moral deprivation of her husband's support. In extreme situations such relationships end up in divorces or separation. I think that most men think that polygamy has been offered to them to enjoy a happy life with different wives without fulfilling equal rights and responsibilities of all. But, this is entirely an incorrect consideration or belief of a man who considers polygamy as a joyful opportunity, not an approach of sheltering or supporting underprivileged women of a society. Therefore, I strongly recommend that one should not get involved in a legal relationship of marriage with more than one woman, because polygamy is just an exception not an obligation. With due respect of current statuses of social and economical lives, it has become quite difficult for one man to bear the responsibilities of more than one women. Works Cited Ali, A. "Sexuality of the Muslim Premarried and Unmarried." 2010. cyber_bangla0.tripod.com. 18 October 2012. Ali, K. Marriage and Slavery in Early Islam. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 2012. Ali, S and R. Mills. "Sex in Islam - Its Role and Purpose." 1997. muslimcanada.org. 18 October 2012. Ammar, N. "On Being A Muslim Woman: Laws and Practices." 2011. religiousconsultation.org. 18 October 2012. Haylamaz, R. Khadija: The First Muslim and the Wife of the Prophet Muhammad. New Jersey: Tughra Books, 2007. Khan, W. Woman between Islam and Western Society. Sydney: Islamic Centre, 1995. Mutahhari.M. "kullayiman.com." 1998. The Rights of Women in Islam. 18 October 2012. Philips, A and J. Jones. Polygamy in Islam. Riyadh: Tawheed Publications, 2005. Ymsite. "Polygamy." 2010. ymsite.com. 18 October 2012. Read More