Question:
Aslaam walkium. May Allah give Mawlana Sheikh Nazim, Mawlana Sheikh Hisham and eShaykh team long live.
Why is a man allowed to have more than one wife in Islam? Is there a hadith? Does this mean men are more important or are higher than women?
Khudahafiz
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
Before Islam limited polygamy, it was permissible in all the religions. This verse was reveled to restrict polygamy:
If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, three, or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one (Surah al-Nisa, 3).
This verse was reveled after the Battle of Uhud when a number of Muslim men died and many women left widows. From this, one can realize the wisdom behind this decree.
Imam Senad Agic
American Islamic Center – Chicago
Majlis #1 Head Imam (IABNA)
www.aicchicago.com
www.imamsenadagic.com
www.iabna.org
