Question: is having more than one wife something permissible in Islaam
or is it the Sunnah?
Answer: Having more than one wife is the Sunnah if you have ability to do so
due to the saying of Allaah The most high:
{Then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if
you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only
one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That
is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.} [Soorah an-Nisaa:3]
And also due to the action of the Prophet , he had altogether nine women and Allaah made it a means for the Ummah to have benefited from them.
This is from the distinguished characteristics of the Messenger , as for other than him then it is not allowed to combine more than four. As for having more than one wife then there are great benefits for men, women and all the Muslim Ummah.
Indeed what is achieved/beneficial for everyone, by having more than one
wife is lowering one’s gaze, protection for the private parts, increase in offspring, that a man can look after the benefits of a large number of women
and can defend them from causes of evil and deviances.
As for the one who is incapable of doing this and fears that he will not be
just between them, then he should suffice with one due to the saying of Allaah Subhaana:
{But if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then
only one.} [Soorah an-Nisaa:3]
May Allaah give all the Muslims that which there is benefit for them in it,
and success for them in this world and the Hereafter. ♦♦♦
Taken From Majmoo’ Fatawaa of our
Shaykh, Allaama, Abdul Azeez bin Abdullaah
Bin Baaz
[al-Balaag magazine no.1028]
Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya
or is it the Sunnah?
Answer: Having more than one wife is the Sunnah if you have ability to do so
due to the saying of Allaah The most high:
{Then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if
you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only
one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That
is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.} [Soorah an-Nisaa:3]
And also due to the action of the Prophet , he had altogether nine women and Allaah made it a means for the Ummah to have benefited from them.
This is from the distinguished characteristics of the Messenger , as for other than him then it is not allowed to combine more than four. As for having more than one wife then there are great benefits for men, women and all the Muslim Ummah.
Indeed what is achieved/beneficial for everyone, by having more than one
wife is lowering one’s gaze, protection for the private parts, increase in offspring, that a man can look after the benefits of a large number of women
and can defend them from causes of evil and deviances.
As for the one who is incapable of doing this and fears that he will not be
just between them, then he should suffice with one due to the saying of Allaah Subhaana:
{But if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then
only one.} [Soorah an-Nisaa:3]
May Allaah give all the Muslims that which there is benefit for them in it,
and success for them in this world and the Hereafter. ♦♦♦
Taken From Majmoo’ Fatawaa of our
Shaykh, Allaama, Abdul Azeez bin Abdullaah
Bin Baaz
[al-Balaag magazine no.1028]
Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya