Articulating further on that storm in a tea cup - polygamy in Islam

[Heba E. Husseyn]

As-Salam Alaikum.  In continuation with the series on the topic of polygamy discussed in our forum, here is another coherent and expressive post on the same subject very eloquently written by M.M. Pickthall, the translator of the Noble Quran into English whose translations we use here at MV. 

ARTICULATING FURTHER ON THAT STORM IN A TEA CUP ON POLYGAMY IN ISLAM:

By M.M. Pickthall

Permitting polygamous marriage in Islam has been made by several non-Muslim writers the text for strictures which appear completely irrelevant because their ideology is altogether un-Islamic.

The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) has never been regarded by Muslims other than a human messenger of God; sanctity has never been identified with celibacy.  For Chritiandom th strictest religious ideal has been celibacy, monogamy is already a concession to human nature.  For Muslims, monogamy is the ideal, polygamy the concession to human nature.

Polygamy is the nature of some men in all countries and of all men in some countries.  Having set a great example of monogamic marriage, the Prophet was to set a great example of polygamic marriage, by following which, men of that temperament could live righteous lives.  He encountered all the difficulties inherent in the situation and when he made mistakes, the Quran helped him to retrieve them.

Al-Islam did not institute polygamy.  It restricted a widely existing institution by limiting the number of a man's legal wives by giving to every woman a legal personality and legal rights which had to be respected, and making every man responsible for his conduct towards every woman.

Whether monogamy or polygamy should prevail in a particular country or period is a matter of social and economic convenience.

This also explains the Islamic ideology of prohibiting sexual relations outside of marriage.  For promoting respect for both men and women and avoiding practical hardships in future particularly for women, a relationship between a man and a woman must be solemnized and officialized duly in a respectful and sacred manner, not loosely with little or no commitments.


Other topics on polygamy in our forum:

Polygamy as interpreted by "Muslim" modernists:
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=3606.0

A consequence of not recognizing polygamy in the West:
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=680.0

Responsibilities of men looking for polygamy:
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=261.0

Discourse on the marriages of the Prophet Muhammad:
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=587.0

The story of media bias:
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=3410.0

[muslima]

Excellent comments by M.M.Pickthall

JazakAllah khair sis heba