Can a poor man practice polygamy??

Question

Today in some of the poor Muslim countries, some poor men still practice polygamy. What benefit would it really serve the society and Islam for a person to bring more illiterate and starving kids into this world?

your comments please

Salam and thanks

Answer 1

Ok here i go again Nimmy! ;-)..... if you read the verse very well, you'll see the first condition to marry more wives is to provide for orphans and widows. This verse was sent down in times that many good Muslim men gave their lives for Islam and many women and children were left without being cared for. If was sent down to make sure widows and orphans were taken care of. That is the MOST important condition!

Now.... is this the case in many countries? Nope. so first condition is not met in most cases.

2nd condition: treat te women the same. Now, can a man treat 2 women equally? Even a rich man won't be able to do so, because he'll always have a favourite. If people claim a man can love 2 women equally they are liars.Maybe they can give them the same houses, clothes etc but not the same love.

So if you look at the means of a poor man, he'll hardly be able to provide for one family, let alone 2!  Maybe he'll be an honourless guy who will tell his wives to go out working too to make ends meet.

But as my husband said once to me: 'The poor have little amusement in life, the men see s*x and making babies as a passtime!' Sounds cruel, but i think he has a point. Also, many uneducated Muslims ask a bridal gift from their wives too, so it's a nice income to take on a 2nd wife.

Education is the key. Most importantly to educate them on Islam. Educate them so they do not have to listen and be taught by  their Mullah's and such blindy who often give their version of Islam (which is unfortunately in many cases contrary to the word of Allah and very women unfriendly).

So we have to start with making Muslims aware that : "This is my right which islam gave men".. is NOT true persé. Only in times of war. Also they should be made aware that marrying a second wife out of lust, because the first woman is ill or cannot conceive a child, or because he's in another country to study work etc.  is NO valid reason and Allah will hold them accountabe. (btw, all 4 reasons i gave above are perfect examples of how a man can't treat his wives equally.....if he does not find the first one attractive anymore, or she is always ill, or childless and the 2nd is healthy or would have his kids...... do you honestly think wife number 1 would get as much love and attention, how about wife number 1 being in the Maghreb and wifey 2 is there at hand??)

Let me finish my 'rant' with the fact that the verse clearly states: ' If you can't treat them eqaully than marry only one.'

Allah did not add this for nothing!!!

Peace to you my sweet sis!

Edit: Wow, i must have hit a nerve of some, seeing the thumbs down! :-p

Answer 2

The Prophet Muhammed had many wives for their benefit, to help them as they were in a bad situation etc. You should only practice polygamy if you can provide for all of your wives, and equally too. If a poor man can not provide for one, he shouldn't be having another wife.

Muhammed married women that were poor, that had no man in the family to provide for them or marry them to good people, those that husbands died and would not be able to marry another man. If a poor man cannot give them any better of a life than she already has, then he shouldn't be practicing polygamy. Polygamy is not for the mans satisfaction.

Answer 3

What if a poor man has 4 wives?. PROPHHET MOHAMMED WAS A VERY POOR GUY BUT HE HAD 12. but you have to deal them justly...means you have to devide your sleepings among them eaqually deviding it with 4!

Answer 4

If a man has more than one wife, he has to provide separate living accommodation for each of his wives. Multiple marriages are a heavy responsibility on the male. So if this guy can barely provide for himself or his (curent) wife, then practicing polygamy is not permissible at all.

Some people incorrectly assume that Muslim men will marry/have 4 wives, multiple wives are seldom found in Islam today. So this is an odd case that you're remarking. Even the Qur'an stipulates that he is to have no more than one wife. The Qur'an only permits but does not command a man to have four wives.  

Answer 5

No a poor man shouldn't practice polygamy

Answer 6

i agree!

well in those poor countries, you may find this also to overcome the Spinsterhood, due to high dowry.

Answer 7

If he's poor, then it's really unlikely that he will be able to properly provide to each of his wives fairly. So no, I don't think it's permitted.  

Answer 8

since the quran says men can marry more than one woman...

in war.. or any other situation where there is lack of men... And to take care of orphans or widowed....

that limits the woman one can take up as a second wife...

and if he is poor he'd end up starving 2 families...

in today's world it's not very wise..

Answer 9

i think a poor man have more urging matters.

Answer 10

i dont think so because he cannot support his wives

Answer 11

As long as that poor man can be fair to all of his wives in regards to their rights (housing, food, clothing, etc.), then he can "practice polygamy". If not, then no.

"...but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one..." (Qur'an 4:3)

The Prophet (saaw) said that a man who was unfair to his wives will be crippled in half of his body on the Day of Judgment. And Allah (swt) knows best.

And the Prophet (saaw) didn't prevent dirt-poor men from marrying. He, however, prescribed fasting to those who can't.