Malfuzat - Volume IV — Page 239
239 Malfuzat – Volume IV polygamy is tantamount to adultery, how do they respond to the fact that Joseph was already married and Mary as was his second wife? Is this not an objection which they themselves direct towards their holy virgin? Thirdly, when she had already become pregnant, why was she married during her pregnancy? These are three powerful objections that arise in this context. Let us put other matters aside. For example, when the angel came bringing glad tidings to Mary as and proclaimed that god had descended into her womb, she ought to have loudly announced this fact; she ought to have informed the people to be ready to welcome god as he was soon to be born from her womb. Why was this hidden? As I mentioned, I put aside these objections for the time being, but the three major objections which I have just presented are ones for which the Christians really have no answer. The actual reason, as it appears, is that Mary as became pregnant while she was in the temple. She thought that if she told the people that an angel had come to her and given her glad tidings of the birth of a son, they would ridicule her and some would say that she must be dreaming of marriage; while others would say that she was guilty of fornication. But when her belly could no longer be hidden and news began to spread, ultimately everyone became worried. If she had disclosed this fact when the angel had first appeared to her, perhaps such an outcry would not have arisen. However, her view was that if she had disclosed this information in the beginning, people would say that she desires a husband. It is often seen that if an unmarried girl hints even slightly about marriage, these are the sorts of con - clusions that people make about her. So Mary as was apprehensive and for this rea - son, she thought it best to remain silent. But after four or five months, when her belly became more conspicuous and this matter could no longer be hidden, there was no other option. The elders of the temple clearly understood that Mary as was pregnant and they grew concerned. As it is observed, if the daughter of a noble family becomes pregnant, they quickly and hurriedly have her married to pro - tect their honour. These elders also felt the same apprehension because they were completely oblivious and unaware of the actual matter at hand. So they did not care at all about the other issues, such as how this marriage would go against the oath that was made or how a second marriage, according to the words of Christ, would show her to be a fornicator, or how it was unlawful to marry off a pregnant lady. Even her dear ones thought that if we continue on the road of silence even now and she is not married to someone, everyone will be disgraced. So the mar - riage took place. However, these are the numerous objections that arise as a result. p. 505