Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 5
5 for her to fulfil the natural needs of her husband. Now, if permission to marry a second time had not been given, do tell me, would this not fuel the proliferation of fornication and immorality? Therefore, a religion or shariah which prohib- its polygamy most certainly encourages fornication and immorality. However, Islam seeks to cleanse the world of immorality and promiscuity; and therefore, in such circumstances, permits a man to marry more than one wife. In the same vein, when a man is unable to have children, many disputes arise in the family of such a person after his death, and at times, the matter escalates to conflict, even murder and bloodshed. In such a case, it is necessary for such a man to marry more than one wife so that he may have children. In fact, when such circum- stances arise, righteous and noble women grant permission themselves. The more one reflects over this matter, the more clear and logical it will appear. Christians have no right to criticise this permission, because those men whom the Christians hold as Prophets and divinely inspired, in fact, even the elders of the Messiah, peace be upon him, married seven hundred wives, while others are reported to have married three hundred. If the Christians respond by saying that these men were sinners and transgressors, they will have a difficult time explaining how the revelations that are attributed to them can be deemed true. There are certain de- nominations among the Christians who do not deem it permissible to dishonour the Prophets in this manner. The fact is, the Gospel does not even expound this teaching openly; the women of London have been forceful in opposing multiple marriages, and this has resulted in an aversion to the practice. However, look at the outcomes for yourself. In London and Paris, what is chastity and piety worth? The Battles of Islam Were Defensive Similarly, their allegations relating to slavery and jihad are also unfounded, be- cause a long chain of similar wars are alluded to in the Torah as well. The wars in Islam were defensive and came to an end in a mere ten years. I confidently say that I can take out and present similar teachings from their own scriptures. I also confidently proclaim that all truths are encompassed by the Holy Quran. If any- one claims that they can present a verity that is not to be found in the Quran, I am prepared to demonstrate that the Quran speaks of that particular point. The Islamic shariah has presented injunctions which accord to the inherent nature of man, and which nurture his faculties in every respect. No allegation can be lev- elled against the tenets of Islam. However, the objections held by Islam in respect