There
is no contradiction in the verses regarding polygamy
Question:
Concerning polygyny, it is stated in the Qur.aan:
{If
you fear that you will not be able to deal justly [with more
then one wife], than [marry] only one}, [Soorah
an-Nisaa., Aayah
3].
However,
in another place, it states:
{You
will never be able to do perfect justice between your wives
even if it is your ardent desire}, [Soorah
an-Nisaa., Aayah
129].
In
the first verse, the condition of being just among the wives
is stated while in the second it makes it clear that the condition
of justice could never be met. Does this mean that the first
verse is abrogated and that it is not allowed to many more
than one woman since the condition of justice cannot be fulfilled?
Benefit us, may Allaah reward you.
Response:
There is no contradiction between the two verses. There is
also no abrogation by one verse of the other. The justice
that is mentioned in the first verse is the justice within
one's ability, which is related to being fair in division
of time and in maintenance. As for being just with respect
to love and sexual relations, this is not within one's ability.
This is what is being referred to in the verse:
{You
will never be able to do perfect justice between your wives
even if it is your ardent desire}, [Soorah
an-Nisaa., Aayah
129].
In
a Hadeeth about the Prophet (sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wa sallam)
'Aa.ishah stated:
"The
Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wa sallam)
used to divide his time between his wives and he was fair.
He used to say:
((O
Allaah, that is my division with respect to what I have control
over. Do not blame me for what You control and over which
I have no control)). This was recorded by Abu Daawood,
at-Tirmidhee, an-Nasaa.ee, Ibn Maajah. It was graded Saheeh
by Ibn Hibbaan and al-Haakim.
Shaykh
Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah
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