4:4 – Marry Up To Four Wives

Introduction

It is alleged that the Holy Quran and the Islamic tradition is oppressive to women. Verses of the Holy Quran are showcased by detractors as promoting the inferiority of women, misogyny and abuse against women.

On the contrary, the Holy Quran and the Islamic tradition have probably the greatest historical legacy of the emancipation and empowerment of women. The Holy Quran unequivocally announces the equality of men and women in several verses such as 16:98– Whoso acts righteously, whether male or female and is a believer, We will surely grant him a pure life; and  We will surely bestow on such their reward according to the best of their works.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) had a direct hand in this legacy. One of the first acts of the Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) to shift attitudes towards women was halting the practice of female infanticide. He announced that daughters were a blessing upon the household they were born into: A person who is blessed with a daughter or daughters and makes no discrimination between them and his sons and brings them up with kindness and affection, will be as close to me in Paradise as my forefinger and middle finger are to each other.” (Muslim II, Section Beneficence).

As is sometimes alleged, Muhammad (on whom be peace) was clearly not a misogynist, rather a great benefactor in the emancipation and empowerment of women. He spent his career as a trader working for a woman named Khadijah who later became his wife. Throughout his ministry he regularly consulted her in matters and decisions as the leader of the Muslim community. Islam accorded women the right to accept or refuse a proposal for marriage, and the right to inheritance and ownership of property. While acknowledging that men and women have been endowed with different roles and functions in society, the Quran exhorts on equality between men and women in the eyes of God in that both will be rewarded solely on the basis of their deeds (see section below ‘Fundamental Teachings of Islam About Women’).

The women of the family of prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) became revered figures and great examples among Muslims which aided in shifting attitudes about women. His first wife Khadijah (ra) was a business leader and his trusted advisor. His daughter Fatimah (ra), known for her piety, was a great example to the Muslim community. And his wife Ayesha (ra) came to be known as a religious and community leader.

And if you fear that you will not be just in dealing with the orphans, then marry of other women as may be agreeable to you, two, or three, or four; and if you fear you will not be able to do justice, then marry only one or marry what your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely that you will not do injustice. (4:4)

Allegation

It is alleged that this verse reduces the status of women due to it allowing men to marry up to four women.

Context

As the permission of marrying up to four wives has been given in connection with the subject of orphans, it should be taken primarily to be based on the question of the care of that much-neglected class of society which had become exacerbated by war. The issue of population growth of orphans with wartime casualties makes for a lopsided ratio of males and females in society. As male population tends to lessen with wartime casualties, practical realities exist for orphans and widows. If circumstances do not permit them to be able to find a single male suitor, they inevitably will turn to sin to fulfill their carnal desires. Some may even become targets for criminals and get lured into prostitution. The same is also true for widows during times of military activity as was the case during the birth of Islam with the superpowers of Rome and Persia engaged in a protracted regional war.

Further, according to the Qur’an, the objects of marriage are four, viz., (1) protection against physical, moral and spiritual maladies (2:188; 4:25); (2) peace of mind and the availability of a loving companion (30:22); (3) procreation of children; and (4) widening of the circle of relationship (4:2). Now one or all of the above-mentioned four objects of marriage are sometimes not realized in the case of one wife; for instance, if the wife of a person becomes permanently invalid or suffers from a debilitating disease. Indeed, no course is left to the husband but either to contract another lawful marriage or take grave risks in failing the attacks of carnal passions as well as remain without children or progeny.

It is important to note that while the permission for up to four wives is given, it comes with the condition of fair treatment as given in the verse 4-130: “And you cannot keep perfect balance between wives, however much you may desire it. But incline not wholly to one so that you leave the other like a thing suspended. And if you are reconciled and act righteously, surely Allah is Most Forgiving and Merciful”.

Verse 4-130 states that it is humanly impossible for a man to keep perfect balance between his wives in all respects. For instance, love being an affair of the heart over which man has no control, a husband cannot be expected to have equal love for all his wives. But he can certainly deal with them with equity in other respects. Thus, this allowance of marrying up to four wives is not the purpose of carnal passion or marrying someone for their beauty or desirability, as in that case it will not be possible to do justice between wives. This permission is a serious practical provision in order to preserve morality and sanctity in a society under severe circumstances as it is mentioned in connection with orphans in the backdrop of a war.