The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 260
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 260 has Islām forbidden the very thought of lust in the matter of polygamy; rather, it has practically stipulated such conditions, that whilst adhering to them, no individual can indulge in lust and indulgence. At this instance it also seems necessary to mention that prior to Islām, there was no limit to polygamy among the Arabs, or among any nation of the world for that matter. Every individual was permitted to keep as many wives as he so desired. However, in addition to specifying other conditions, in terms of number as well, Islām placed a restriction of up to four at most. As such, it is ascertained from history that as for those Muslim converts who had more than four wives, they were ordered to divorce the rest. For example, when Ghailān bin Salamah Saqafiyy became a Muslim he had ten wives, out of whom, six were divorced on order. 1 Now we explain the purposes that were in consideration by the Holy Prophet sa in his marriages, because this is our actual subject. It should be known, therefore, that the general purposes behind the marriages of the Holy Prophet sa were the very same ones which Islām has mentioned for marriage and for polygamy; and which have already been mentioned above. Among these purposes, the ones under special consideration by the Holy Prophet sa were the continuation of human life, a growth in relations of love and compassion, and the protection of orphans and widows. In order to fulfill the purpose of the growth of relations of love and compassion, the Holy Prophet sa considered such ladies as were best suited with respect to the needs of religion, the welfare of nation and community, and the interest of government and rule. However, in addition to these general purposes, under specific circumstances, there were specific reasons behind the marriages of the Holy Prophet sa as well. These specific reasons were twofold: firstly, the practical repudiation of various ignorant customs and erroneous beliefs through the personal example of the Holy Prophet sa ; secondly, to keep various suitable women under the direct training of the Holy Prophet sa , and then through them to strengthen that aspect of the Islāmic Sharī‘at which relates specifically to women, as well as to educate and train other Muslim women. Allāh the Exalted states in the Holy Qur’ān: 1 Sunanut-Tirmidhī, Kitābun-Nikāḥ, Bābu Mā Jā’a Fir-Rajuli Yuslimu Wa ‘Indahū ‘Ashru Niswatin, Ḥadīth No. 1128