Polygyny in Islam

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In Islam, polygamy is allowed and practised under certain restricted conditions. Muslim men are allowed to practise polygyny and can have more than one wife at the same time, up to a total of four. Muslim women are not allowed to practise polyandry.

Although many Muslim countries have Islamic law (sharia) which permits polygyny, certain elements within Islam challenge its acceptability. See this discussion on the extent to which states can and do recognize these forms as valid.

Polygamy for Muslims, in practice and law, differs greatly throughout the Islamic world, where polygamous marriages constitute only 1–3% of all marriages.[1] In some Muslim countries, polygamy is relatively common, while in others, it is rare or non-existent. Tunisia, for example, is an Arab country where polygamy is not legal.


Historical context
Unrestricted polygamy existed in pre-Islamic Arabia.[2] It was, reportedly, practiced by Hebrew patriarchs in the Old Testament such as David, Moses, Abraham, and Jacob (See Polygamy in Judaism and Christianity).


Qur'an
The Qur'an addresses guardians of the orphans to marry the mothers of the orphans that are lawful to them if they fear that they would not be able to do justice to the onerous responsibility of protecting the rights of the orphans and taking care of their wealth and property. Men are allowed to engage in polygamy with two conditions:[3]

Even for as noble an objective as the welfare of orphans, a person cannot marry more than four wives.
If a person is not able to deal justly with all four wives he should not marry more than the number he can be just with. Justice is a value that has to be maintained at all costs and cannot be sacrificed even for such a noble cause.[citation needed]
As the Qur'an states:[3]

And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry [their mothers] that are lawful to you, two two, three three, four four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly [with them], then only one, or those which your right hands possess. That will be more suitable to prevent you from doing injustice. And give these women their dowers also the way dowers are given; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and consume it gladly.

—Qur'an, [Qur'an 4:3]
Qur'an encourages wives to adjust and adapt to the situation, but in spite of the wife's efforts, if the family does not remain intact then it is not her responsibility. As the Qur'an says:[4]

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 woman) altogether, so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air). If ye come to a friendly understanding, and practise self- restraint, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. But if they disagree (and must part), Allah will provide abundance for all from His all-reaching bounty: for Allah is He that careth for all and is Wise.

—Qur'an, [Qur'an 4:129]
The Qur'an, chapter 4 (An-Nisa), verse 3: “ Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a slave-girl) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice— translated by Unknown


”

Hadith
A narration reports:

“ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a man has two wives and he is inclined to one of them, he will come on the Day of resurrection with a side hanging down. [5] ”