Islam lays down clear principles regarding the rights and responsibilities involved in more than one marriage. There is no ambiguity or room for personal interpretation when it comes to this matter. Any man who claims the right to marry more than once or desires to do so must first study and understand the conditions and obligations Islam mandates in such cases.
When a man enters into more than one marriage, all Islamic duties and responsibilities immediately become binding upon him. These include, but are not limited to:
- Establishing a proper Nikah (marriage) with full legal and social recognition
- Giving the wife his name, a home, and financial support (nafaqah)
- Treating her with respect and dignity in society
- Ensuring her right to motherhood and honouring her beliefs
- Providing physical, emotional, and spiritual protection
- Treating all wives with absolute justice and fairness
Failing to uphold these responsibilities is not just a social wrongdoing but a sin in the eyes of Allah.
Justice Is a Condition
Islam permits up to four marriages, but with a strict condition: justice among wives is obligatory.
The Qur’an clearly states:
“But if you fear that you will not be just, then (marry only) one…”
Surah An-Nisa (4:3)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned about injustice among wives:
“Whoever has two wives and leans towards one of them (more than the other), he will come on the Day of Resurrection with one of his sides leaning.”
Sunan Abu Dawood, 2133; graded authentic (Sahih) by Shaykh al-Albani
Can there be a more frightening warning than this?
Misuse of the Concept in Society
Unfortunately, in many societies including ours some men use Islam as a justification to marry multiple women without fulfilling any of the associated rights. Worse, they may emotionally, mentally, or even physically abuse their wives. Far from giving rights, such men strip their wives of even basic human dignity.
This abuse of the concept has caused Islam to be criticized both locally and globally, especially in countries where polygamy is not even legally permitted. Such irresponsible behaviour tarnishes the beautiful, balanced teachings of Islam.
In many cases, men even abandon their first wives citing issues like mental health or compatibility and manipulate another woman into marriage. This is not just morally wrong; it is fraud. A man who enters into a marriage through deception cannot be expected to honour that marriage with justice.
Lack of Proper Islamic Upbringing
The root cause of such misuse lies in the lack of proper Islamic education and moral upbringing, which is the responsibility of parents especially the mother and father of a boy. It is essential to raise boys with a deep understanding of what Islam permits and what it forbids. If a man truly understands the weight of responsibility that comes with multiple marriages, he will never consider it without an authentic, justified reason. And even if he does, he will honour his wife with full rights, dignity, and fairness.
A Clarification
Let me make one thing absolutely clear: this blog is not directed at those righteous men who are well versed in Islamic teachings and live their lives with sincerity, responsibility, and fear of Allah. I hold such individuals in deep respect.
My words are directed at those individuals who deceive women into a second marriage, and then use Islam as a shield to justify their dishonesty. They twist the name of religion to suit their desires, all while claiming to be “real men.”
But let’s be honest a real man doesn’t build his marriage on lies. A real man doesn’t misuse Allah’s name to hide betrayal. Such people lose their dignity in this world and will find no place in the Hereafter. Islam is a religion of justice, not a tool for manipulation.
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