Question:
Does Islam really allow a man to take up to four wives?
Summary Answer:
Yes, a Muslim man can marry as many as four women, and have sexual relations with an unspecified number of slaves as well. Muhammad had eleven wives at one time.
The Quran:
Quran (4:3) - "Marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess." This verse clearly allows a man to have up to four wives (Allah conveniently granted Muhammad an exception... according to what Muhammad told his followers). According to the Hadith, the "justice" spoken of merely refers to the dowry provided the bride, not the treatment accorded following the wedding.
Quran (4:129) - "Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire" Underscores that a man is not able to treat multiple wives fairly. He would therefore be unable to acquire more than one wife if this were a requirement - which it is not. In fact, Muhammad was not able to treat his own wives fairly (see Additional Notes).
Quran (66:5) - "Maybe, his Lord, if he divorce you, will give him in your place wives better than you, submissive, faithful, obedient, penitent, adorers, fasters, widows and virgins" A disobedient wife can be replaced. A man can only have up to four wives, but he can rotate as many women as he pleases in and out of the lineup.
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/017-polygamy.htm
I wonder what women in the 21st century think about this?
