So it is allowed and blessed by the Quran...

A few succinct facts on this issue of polygamy and Islam:

1. Islam does not impose that polygamy is a general and “wholesale” practice, custom, rights, etc.

2. Monogamy is the norm and – NOT – polygamy.

3. Polygamy is the exception!!!

4. One does not run off willy-nilly with the notion to have many wives.

5. In the ancient times, when a married man took other women into his household, there were sound reasons for those actions.

6. Due to the wars, many women were left without husbands, fiances, and male guardians, the choices were available to the woman, they can remain widowed, single and childless, etc., or to share a husband within an extended family.

7. The option for having other wives, were also to take care and provide support for orphans.

8. Polygamy was prevalent in the “olden/ancient” times due to the above reasons but as stated earlier, it is not the norm in today's environment.

quote:

Originally posted by Amber:
So it is allowed and blessed by the Quran...

The conditions had to warrant it.

yes, why is it interesting?

Amber: ALL religions..no exception...know polygyny. Certain remote strains of hinduism practised polyandry..I am NOT sure if this is from the religion itself ( I find no source), or from people who just happened to be indian, and had their religion subsumed under the general rubric of "hinduism."
Someone earlier pointed out monogamy as the norm. This is why the "second" wife is given the term "Darra" in Egypt..she who causes pain, or suffering.
The Q was a seventh century document and addressed the time...it was actually seen as quite progressive that a limit was being placed on the plurality of wives a man could have. Compare it with SOlomon's fabulous numbers.
Yet, many Muslims, especially in rural areas of underdeveloped countries, practice polygyny. For economic reasons and others, some cultural, some for simple punany predilection. SOme Muslims see the Q as being for all time, and so state that what God has allowed cannot be undone by the passing of time. I will not argue that point here. But suffice it to say that I would rather LEGALLY have wives than one wife and several mistresses. Reason? A wife's child is legit, a mistress' is a bastard.

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
But suffice it to say that I would rather LEGALLY have wives than one wife and several mistresses. Reason? A wife's child is legit, a mistress' is a bastard.

Plus, if things turn sour, the wife can take the man to court and get relief. The mistress cannot.

So why are the women complaining? All this is done for their protection. :)

Kaz: bhai u betta hope you wifey don't read this part because belna might come out.
COrrection to my post: I stated "all" religions. My fault. bahaism, to the best of my knowledge, has not sanctioned polygamy in any way.

quote:

Originally posted by Amber:
Impala...thanks for yr input... point well taken...but it do exist as we speak in Middle Eastern countries as we speak?

i live in morocco and have been in the region much. Its very uncommon for a man to have more than one wives these days. Non of fathers of my students have more than one wives. However, divorce is growing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Jansher>,

quote:

Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
A few succinct facts on this issue of polygamy and Islam:

1. Islam does not impose that polygamy is a general and “wholesale” practice, custom, rights, etc.

2. Monogamy is the norm and – NOT – polygamy.

3. Polygamy is the exception!!!

4. One does not run off willy-nilly with the notion to have many wives.

5. In the ancient times, when a married man took other women into his household, there were sound reasons for those actions.

6. Due to the wars, many women were left without husbands, fiances, and male guardians, the choices were available to the woman, they can remain widowed, single and childless, etc., or to share a husband within an extended family.

7. The option for having other wives, were also to take care and provide support for orphans.

8. Polygamy was prevalent in the “olden/ancient” times due to the above reasons but as stated earlier, it is not the norm in today's environment.

ALong with DG's assessment, there is Quranic backing..
1. Fa in khiftum an laa ta'dilu fa wahidah..if you think you cannot be just, then one...
2. 'wa sahibatihi wa banih'...describing the day of judgment, the qur'an says a man will not attned to the affairs of anyone but himself..not his brother, mother, father, his WIFE (singular) and children...if plurality were the norm, it would have been in the plural.
3. In many Msulim countires, such as tunisia, algeria, and I think morocco, it is forbidden. In others, the first wife has to agree out of her free will.
4. Do note that among Guyanese in Guyana, the idea of bigamy does not exist...but the idea of several "wives" does....

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Kaz: bhai u betta hope you wifey don't read this part because belna might come out.
COrrection to my post: I stated "all" religions. My fault. bahaism, to the best of my knowledge, has not sanctioned polygamy in any way.

Bai, meh wifey don't belna meh. Meh get good treatment. Of course, I am not inclined to even think of having other wives. It will only take away from the time that I can spend with this one and my wonderful kids.

quote:

Originally posted by ksazma:

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Kaz: bhai u betta hope you wifey don't read this part because belna might come out.
COrrection to my post: I stated "all" religions. My fault. bahaism, to the best of my knowledge, has not sanctioned polygamy in any way.

Bai, meh wifey don't belna meh. Meh get good treatment. Of course, I am not inclined to even think of having other wives. It will only take away from the time that I can spend with this one and my wonderful kids.

U damn lucky. Most wives..even just for discussing the concept..would look for belna.

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
U damn lucky. Most wives..even just for discussing the concept..would look for belna.

Meh kno meh lucky. Plus I don't discuss the concept unless from a religious point of view. Plus I practice my religion without being religious.