Is polygamy allowed, and under what conditions?

Question

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah · Accepted Answer

Ibn Taymiyyah affirmed that polygamy up to four wives is permitted by the explicit text of Quran 4:3, conditioned on the man's ability to deal justly between them in matters under his control: nights, maintenance, housing, and outward treatment. If he fears injustice, he must restrict himself to one. Equal love of the heart is not required since it is not in one's control, citing the Prophet's ﷺ statement: "O Allah, this is my division in what I control, so do not blame me for what You control and I do not."

Shaykh Ibn Baz · Answer

Shaykh Ibn Baz explains that polygamy is permissible (mubah) in Islam for a man to marry up to four wives, based on the clear evidence from the Qur'an. However, this permissibility is strictly conditional upon the man's ability to enact justice (`'adl`) among his wives.

The primary evidence for this is the statement of Allah in Surah An-Nisa': '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.' (An-Nisa 4:3). Shaykh Ibn Baz emphasizes that if a man fears he cannot be just, it is not permissible for him to marry more than one.

This justice must be applied to everything within the husband's capacity, such as financial support (nafaqah), clothing, housing, and the division of his time among them. He must strive to treat them equally in these material and observable matters. As for matters of the heart, such as the degree of love or inclination he feels for one wife over another, this is outside of his control and he is not held accountable for it, provided it does not lead him to treat them unjustly in his actions.

The Shaykh also notes that the man must possess the physical and financial ability (`al-ba'ah`) to take on the responsibilities of multiple households, ensuring he can provide for them all adequately without falling short.

Therefore, for a man who is confident in his ability to be fair and just and can financially support more than one wife, polygamy is a permissible and legislated path. For the one who doubts his ability to be just, it is restricted to one wife to prevent him from falling into oppression (dhulm), which is a major sin.

Family & Marriage

Is polygamy allowed, and under what conditions?

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