Islam and Human Rights — Page 47
Social Values 47 be absolutely equal. He must make identical pro vision for each and spend the same period of time with each. There are detailed regulations and instructions which show that he who avails himself of the permission must submit himself to a severe discipline. The contingency that necessitates recourse to a plurality of wives may be worth the discipline, but there is certainly no scope for self-indulgence. The Prophet has said: “A man who marries two women and then does not deal justly with them will be resurrected with half his faculties paralyzed”. 10 Preservation of the higher values and promotion of right eousness must be the constant objectives. Permission to marry more than one woman at a time is a necessary emergency provision for the preservation and fostering of high social values and for safeguarding society against pro miscuity. In the Islamic social system no stigma attaches to the institution. Each wife occupies an equal position of dignity and honour and there is no discrimination among the children. The permission has undoubtedly been abused, but Islamic society is seeking to eradicate such abuse through legal regulation of the institution. Great stress is laid on the proper upbringing and 10 Tirmidhi I, Sect. :Marniage, Ch. :Equality of Treatment.