Why Men Are Allowed To Have More Than One Wife?

 Q. If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband?

Answer:

Many individuals, including those of the Muslim faith, have raised concerns about the fairness of allowing Muslim men to have multiple spouses while denying women the same opportunity. It is important to note that the cornerstone of Islamic society is based on principles of justice and equality.

In Islamic teachings, men and women are created equal, but with distinct physical and psychological capabilities and corresponding responsibilities. While both genders are valued equally, they are not identical, and their respective roles and obligations differ. This is a fundamental concept that underpins the Islamic faith.

Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with who you can not marry and it is further mentions in Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verse 24 "Also (prohibited are) women already married"

The following points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in Islam:

1. The practice of polygyny, or a man having multiple wives, allows for clear identification of the parents of children born from such marriages. Both the father and mother can be easily identified. However, in the case of a woman marrying multiple husbands, only the mother of the children born from such unions can be identified, and not the father. In Islam, it is considered essential to identify both parents, as both the mother and father play critical roles in a child's upbringing.

Psychologists suggest that children who are not aware of their parents, especially their father, can experience significant mental trauma and distress, leading to an unhappy childhood. This is why children of prostitutes often have an unhealthy upbringing, as they do not know the identity of their father. If a child born from such a union is enrolled in school, and the mother is asked to provide the father's name, she may have to give two or more names. However, it's important to note that recent scientific advancements have made it possible to identify both parents through genetic testing. Therefore, while this point may have been relevant in the past, it may not be applicable in today's world.

2. According to scientific studies and Islamic teachings, men tend to be more inclined towards polygamy than women. This difference is attributed to natural variations in the sexes' reproductive roles, which lead to different evolutionary pressures.

From a biological perspective, men have a greater capacity for sexual reproduction than women, as they can produce millions of sperm every day. In contrast, women's reproductive capacity is limited to a finite number of eggs that are released over their reproductive lifespan. This fundamental difference in reproductive biology is thought to contribute to men's greater inclination towards polygamy, as they have a greater potential to father multiple children simultaneously.

Islamic teachings also acknowledge this natural difference between men and women. The Quran and Hadith note that while men are permitted to have multiple wives, women are not granted the same right. This is not intended as a means of suppressing women's rights but rather as a recognition of their unique biological and social roles.

It is also important to note that while polygamy is permitted in Islam, it is not an obligation. In fact, many Muslim scholars and religious leaders emphasize the importance of monogamy and the equitable treatment of all wives in polygamous marriages.

Overall, while men may be more inclined towards polygamy than women due to natural and evolutionary factors, it is essential to approach the practice of polygamy with care, compassion, and respect for all parties involved.

3. From a health perspective, women who have multiple husbands simultaneously are at higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. This risk is due to the fact that a woman with multiple sexual partners is more likely to come into contact with an infected partner and then transmit the infection to her other partners. Even if all partners remain faithful to their marriage vows, the risk of contracting venereal diseases remains high.

In contrast, men with multiple wives are less likely to contract venereal diseases if none of their wives have extra-marital sexual partners. This is because the men are the only ones engaging in sexual activity outside of their marriage, and their wives are not exposed to other sexual partners who may carry infections.