The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 257
VI - Rukhsatānah of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra and an Exposition of Her Age at the Time, the Issue of Polygamy and Two Fabricated Incidents 257 all these meanings are implied by one word simultaneously? The answer to this is that since the Holy Prophet sa was a law-giving Prophet, his words were of a legal nature, which are always comprehensive in meaning and vast in implication, and numerous aspects are inferred in each and every word. It is in this light, therefore, that we should understand the words of the Holy Prophet sa. In any case, when these meanings are linguistically correct, then no one has the right to raise an objection. In summary, Islām has alluded to four purposes of marriage and seven purposes for polygamy. In order to attain these objectives in the best possible manner, Islām has taught that whilst selecting a wife, in addition to the individual merit of the lady herself, the needs of religion, the welfare of nation and community, and the interest of government and rule should also be given importance. This does not imply that in the matter of marriage, other merits should not be taken into account, because it is proven from other Aḥādīth of the Holy Prophet sa that he has permitted Muslims to take the other qualities of a lady into consideration as well. As a matter of fact, at times, he has himself encouraged that a person should take these other characteristics into consideration as well. Hence, despite the injunction of Pardah , the Holy Prophet sa would encourage that before marriage, a person should see his wife, 1 so that afterwards his disposition was not disturbed in any way due to a displeasure in her physical appearance. Similarly, to an appropriate degree, it has been encouraged that financial status be taken into account as well. 2 In the same manner, to a degree, it has also been advised that suitability of age and disposition should also be given regard. 3 This principle is applicable in the case of polygamy as well. However, the guidance given by Islām is that these things should not be given precedence over the religious aspect. The reason being that if qualities of a religious nature are not present, then these merits alone cannot become the foundation of true and everlasting happiness; rather, in certain cases, they prove to be injurious and harmful. Now, if the purposes of polygamy are kept in mind, along with the principle which has been proposed by Islām for the selection of a wife, every sensible individual can appreciate that this is a very blessed system, which has been instituted by God the Exalted, through the person of the Holy Prophet sa. 1 Sunanut-Tirmidhī, Kitābun-Nikāḥ, Bābu Mā Jā’a Fin-Naẓari Ilal-Makhṭūbah, Ḥadīth No. 1087 2 Ṣāḥīḥul-Muslim, Kitābuṭ-Ṭalāq, Bābul-Muṭallaqati Thalāthan Lā Nafaqatan Lahā, Ḥadīth No. 3697 3 * Ṣāḥīḥul-Muslim, Kitābur-Raḍā‘a, Bābu Istiḥbābi Nikāhil-Bikr, Ḥadīth No. 3638 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābun-Nikāḥ, Bābu Tazwījith-Thayyibāt, Ḥadīth No. 5079