Why does Islam permit polygamy?
1. Definition of Polygamy Polygamy means a system of marriage wherein one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types; one is polygyny wherein a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, wherein a woman marries more than one man. Islam permits limited polygyny while prohibiting polyandry completely. 2. Legal Position of Polygyny in Islam Muslims derive the permissibility of polygyny in Islam from the Qur’anic verse: “If you fear that you 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 (marry) only one…” [Al-Qur’an 4:3] From this verse, it is evident that polygyny is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted. The Qur’an also warns about the difficulty of dealing justly between multiple wives: Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire: But turn not away (from a w
