What are the conditions required for marrying more than one woman in Islam?
In Islam, the conditions for marrying more than one woman are explicitly discussed in the Qur'an and further elaborated upon in hadith literature. The primary verse that addresses this issue is found in Surah An-Nisaa, where it states: And if you fear that you will not deal fairly with the orphans, marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or what your right hands possess. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
4:3.
Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, provided clarification on this verse. She said: O my nephew, the orphan girl would be under the guardianship of her custodian who desires her wealth and beauty and wishes to marry her off for less than a proper marriage gift. They forbade marrying them except after justice was done in fulfilling their dowry, and they commanded marrying other women.
Sahih al-Bukhari 67:2. This indicates that fairness in dealing with orphans is a significant concern, and that justice in fulfilling dowries is necessary before marrying other women.
Additionally, the Shia perspective also affirms that there are conditions regarding the number of wives a man can have. It is narrated that Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) stated: If a man has four wives and divorces one, he may not marry a fifth until the waiting period of the one he divorced finishes.
Al-Kafi 3:531. This underscores the importance of adhering to the waiting period after a divorce before taking another wife, ensuring that the rights and statuses of previous wives are respected.
Overall, the conditions for marrying multiple women in Islam include the ability to maintain justice among them, fulfilling their rights, and respecting the waiting periods after divorce.
Sources
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4:3 · An-Nisaa
4:3 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَٰثَ وَرُبَٰعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟
And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, 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. Thus it is more likely that ye will not do injustice.
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Sahih al-Bukhari 67:2
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 67, Hadith 2 · Narrated by Aisha
Urwah said he asked Aisha about the verse: 'And if you fear that you will not deal fairly with the orphans, marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or what your right hands possess. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].' She said: O my nephew, the orphan girl would be under the guardianship of her custodian who desires her wealth and beauty and wishes to marry her off for less than a proper marriage gift. They forbade marrying them except after justice was done in fulfilling their dowry, and they commanded marrying other women.
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Al-Kafi 3:531
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 531
The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said, ‘Death has not fulfilled its due position for anyone who counts a tomorrow beyond his appointed term.’ He also said, ‘No servant ever lengthens hope except that he harms his deeds. He used to say, ‘If the servant saw his appointed term and its approaching speed, he would hate seeking worldly pursuits.’" — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah about a woman—is it permissible for her to wear silk clothes while in Ihram? He said, "No, but she may wear them when not in Ihram." — OR — Ali ibn Ibrahim narrates from his father from Ibn Abi Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj from Zurara ibn Ayan and Muhammad ibn Muslim from Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) who said: If a man has four wives and divorces one, he may not marry a fifth until the waiting period of the one he divorced finishes. He also said: A man must not mix his semen in five women.
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