Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Polygamy: lust or love

By Ayub Maftoon - posted Friday, 18 July 2008


Just like Irfan Yusuf, I was also surprised that a team from Hong Kong was playing cricket in the Asia cup, but thanks to the big fella, he reminded me that once upon a time Hong Kong used to be part of the British Empire. Good on them for being loyal to their past, just like the “sub-continenters” are.

But I was disappointed that Mr Yusuf forgot his own ancestral background while writing an article about the sacred rulings of polygamy in Islam. It surprises me that some individuals like Mr Yusuf could offend their own faith-followers in order to convince the misinformed majority. Just like the people sitting behind the desk of SBS’s Salam café who have resorted to mocking their faith just to show that Muslims are “cool”, some of our learned individuals chose to ridicule their faith instead of appropriately and rationally debating the issues.

Yusuf has done exactly what an ordinary, misinformed - or less-informed - non-Muslim would do. As Muslims Mr Yusuf and myself are obliged to say the truth whether it’s against our interests or those of our community.

Advertisement

The Koran instructs Muslims: "O you who believe stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor" (4:135). "Whenever you speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned" (6:152).

So instead of being apologetic for our faith, or drawing self-made interpretations of the Koranic verses, let’s argue the case in light of authoritative sources and find the real reasons behind the issue of polygamy in Islam.

First of all polygamy is a phenomenon older than Islam and can be traced back to ancient societies. Islam did not introduce the practice and there is abundant evidence that religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity practiced polygamy: and it is still being practiced in some places.

In the Bible a man is permitted to marry an unlimited number of women (Exodus 21:10). According to the Bible, King David and Solomon had six and 700 wives respectively, in addition to hundreds of concubines (Samuel 5:13, Chronicles 3:1-9, 14:3, Kings 11:3).

In Islam, the ruling of polygamy begins with this verse: "If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one…” Verse 4:3.

It should be noted that Koran is the only scripture that commands its followers to marry only one wife if unable to do justice to any more. Koranic verses cannot be interpreted in isolation, but reasons, revelation, time and context should be considered while interpreting them. This verse was revealed in Medina, after Muslims’ migration from Mecca, where, apart from other wars, the battle of Uhud took place in which hundreds of Muslim men were killed. Consequently, a large number of Muslim widows and girls were left without husbands or potential husbands. Therefore, as a solution to the problem of widows, orphans and unmarried girls, the verse was revealed, which allowed men to marry more than one wife but with strict conditions.

Advertisement

This particular chapter of the Koran does not stop there, it goes further and says: "Ye 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.” Verse 4:129.

The first verse warns Muslim men of possible injustice while giving them permission to marry more than one, and the second cautions them of potential failure in doing justice. At the same time it tells them that they will be only reckoned for those misdeeds they commit consciously, i.e. not treating wives equally, not for those that are not within the capacity of their control. Koran warns Muslims of the potential problems associated with marrying more than one wife, but does not prevent them from doing so for some specific reasons discussed here.

Karen Armstrong, a scholar and the author of A Biography of the Prophet says:

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

40 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Ayub Maftoon is a journalist. He got his bachelor degree in journalism from Monash and has recently completed his Masters in Film and Television at RMIT.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Ayub Maftoon

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 40 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy