The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 318
318. Polygamy. Essence of Islam-III. Critics often object that polygamy involves intemperance and monogamy is the ideal system. I am surprised at their needless interference in other people's affairs. It is well known that Islām permits a man to marry up to four wives at a time; and this is a permission, not a compulsion. Every man and woman is well aware of this doctrine. Women have the right to lay down the condition that the husband will, in no circumstance whatsoever, marry another woman. If this condition is laid down before marriage, the husband will be guilty of breach of contract if he goes on to marry another. But if a woman does not prescribe any such condition, and is content with the law as it is, an outsider has no right to interfere. . In such a case, the proverb seems relevant: 'If the husband and wife are happy, the Qāḍī has nothing to do. '. Every sensible person can understand that God has not made polygamy obligatory, He has only declared it lawful. If a husband desires, for some genuine reason, and under Divine law, to avail this permission, and his wife is not happy about it, she has the options to demand divorce, and be rid of this anxiety. And if the other woman, whom he wishes to marry, is not happy, she too has the easy option to decline the offer of such a suitor. No one is under compulsion. But if both women agree to this second marriage, what right then does an Āryā have to interfere? Does this man propose marriage to the two ladies or to this Āryā critic? If a woman agrees to her husband having a second wife, and the latter too is happy with the arrangement, no one has the right to interfere in the matter. This is a matter of human rights. If anyone chooses to have two wives, he doesn't do God any harm. . The only loser is the first or the second wife. If the first