Polygamy
6/7/2017, 12 Syawal 1438H
Polygamy
All religions permit polygamy with unlimited number of wives. However, Quran is the only scripture that limit a man to marry up to 4 wives, if he can treat the wives justly. If he cannot, it is better to remain marry with one wife. Quran is the only scripture that say, 'marry only one'
Polygamy in Old Testament
"If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.
If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money." [Exodus 21:10]
"After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him." [2 Samuel 5:13]
1 These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelite,
2 the third, Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith;
3 the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah;
4 six were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years and six months. And he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
5 These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, four by Bath-shua, the daughter of Ammiel;
6 then Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet,
7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9 All these were David's sons, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar was their sister. [1 Chronicles 3:1-9]
"In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters." [1 Chronicles 14:3]
"He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray." [1 Kings 11:3]
"Rehoboam loved Maakah daughter of Absalom more than any of his other wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters." [2 Chronicles 11:21]
"15 If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love,
16 when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love.
17 He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father’s strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him." [Deuteronomy 21:15]
Though polygamy is permissible in Islam, but it is not fardhu (compulsory), but optional only. Majority muslim men marry only one, rarely polygamy.
Surat An-Nisā' (The Women), Chapter 4, Verse 3:
"And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]." (Quran 4:3)
Polygamy Help Gender Imbalance
Polygamy may help gender imbalance in countries where women population is more than men such as Russia and India.
Surat At-Takwīr (The Overthrowing), Chapter 81, Verse 8-9:
"And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked.
For what sin she was killed" (Quran 81: 8-9)
"And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin." (Quran 17:31)
References:
- Female infanticide, http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/abortion/medical/infanticide_1.shtml, viewed 6th July 2017.
- Travelog Minda Tajdid, https://books.google.com.my/books?id=UbEQAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=poligami+dalam+new+testament&source=bl&ots=RUEN624ZPv&sig=FlQnmNro2x6rqGkWxWgC6-hwm98&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=poligami%20dalam%20new%20testament&f=false, viewed 6th July 2017.
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