THE CONCEPT AND ETHICS OF POLYGAMY IN ISLAMIC TEACHINGS

Abstract

Polygamy (ta‘addud az-zawjat) is a significant and often debated aspect of Islamic family law, deeply rooted in both the Qur’anic injunctions and the Prophetic hadeeth. While Islam permits polygamy, it does so under strict ethical and legal conditions, emphasizing justice (‘adl), financial responsibility, and emotional fairness. Contrary to common misconceptions, Islamic teachings do not promote unrestricted polygamy but instead regulate it with stringent conditions to safeguard the rights of all parties involved, particularly women and children. This paper explores the concept of polygamy in Islamic teachings, analyzing its historical context, Qur’anic and Prophetic foundations, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks across different Islamic schools of thought. It further examines the  sociocultural impact of polygamy, its legal status and practical implementation in different Muslim societies, and the challenges associated with its practice in contemporary society. The study also considers feminist critiques, modern scholarly interpretations, and the role of legal reforms in regulating polygamy in some nations and the implications associated to that. Additionally, the paper addresses misconceptions and misuses of polygamy, highlighting cases where it has been improperly practiced, leading to injustice, emotional distress, and social inequalities. While polygamy remains a permissible marital arrangement in Islam, its ethical implementation requires strict adherence to Qur’anic principles, particularly the command to practice justice or to limit oneself to one wife if fairness cannot be ensured (Surah An-Nisa 4:3). The study concludes that Islamic polygamy is not merely a right but a responsibility, requiring moral discipline, financial capability, and emotional balance. It calls for greater awareness, legal protections, and policy-driven interventions to ensure that polygamy is practiced in accordance with Islamic ethics, rather than as a means of oppression or exploitation. By doing so, polygamy can serve its intended function as a socially beneficial institution, rather than a source of familial and societal discord.