Woman in Islam — Page 21
21 orphans, male and female, had to be provided for. The safeguarding of moral and spiritual values, in these conditions, made polygamy an obligation, a sacrifice and certainly not an indulgence. There were other considerations of a personal, social, politico- religious character, which called for polygamy. In modern times conditions have changed and monogamy, outside Africa, is becoming more and more the rule; but everywhere in individual cases moral considerations still call for a plurality of wives. Islam makes provision for such cases. Among Muslims no stigma attaches to polygamy; it is as honourable as monogamy, and involves no discrimination between the wives or their children. MOTHER Islam assigns a position of great honour to a mother. The love, devotion and tenderness due to parents, and especially to the mother, are repeatedly stressed in the Holy Quran: “We have enjoined on man benevolence towards his parents. ” (29:9). “Say, O Prophet: Come, let me rehearse to you that which your Lord has enjoined; that you associate not anything as partners with Him; that you behave benevolently towards your parents;” (6:152). “Worship Allah and associate naught with Him, and be benevolent towards parents. ” (4:37).