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Offline Reader Questions

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Multiple Marriages in Islam
« on: November 24, 2011, 10:17:45 AM »

Are the muslims as per the ayah below normally permitted to marry more than one wife? Please can you clarify.


4.003
"If you fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry 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 (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice" 


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Offline Joseph Islam

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Re: Multiple Marriages in Islam
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2011, 10:22:50 AM »
Salamun Alaikum.

This verse is not instructing men to marry one wife nor is it instructing men to marry multiple wives. A situation has been captured in which men are informed that if they feel they cannot do justice with multiple marriages, then it is better for them to marry one wife. There is a difference.

Human's can never be perfect in justice (perfection is a trait of God) and God recognises that in verse 4:129 in the context of marriages. However, God does not take away the right to try if one is within a marriage with more than one wife.

As with regards the phrase, 'twos and threes and fours' (Arabic: mathna wathulatha waruba'a) please see the following article.

MARRYING FOUR WIVES IN ISLAM
http://quransmessage.com/articles/four%20wives%20FM3.htm

I hope this helps.

Joseph.
'During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act' 
George Orwell