Besides marrying widowed mothers of orphans, Muhammad had three political marriages: to Aisha and Hafsah at the insistence of Abu Bakr and Omar, and to Maria the Egyptian.1, 2, 3
Children's psychological and social well-being almost always dictates monogamy, especially in countries where polygamy is prohibited.1
Even though God permits polygamy, we should examine our circumstances carefully before saying a particular polygamous relationship is permissible.1
If a man has a young family, polygamy is almost certainly an abuse.1
If circumstances do not dictate polygamy, a man should give his full attention to one wife and one set of children.1
In his last 13 years, Muhammad married aged widows of his friends so their many children could have a complete home with a fatherly figure.1
Polygamy must alleviate pain and suffering and must not cause any pain or suffering.1
Polygamy was a way of life until the Quran was revealed, which put down the first limitations against it once the earth had been sufficiently populated.1, 2
The prophet Muhammad, our perfect example, was married only to Khadijah until she died, giving her and their children his full attention for twenty-five years.1, 2
The Quran permits polygamy only under strictly observed circumstances, and any abuse of this divine permission incurs severe retribution.1
The Quran strongly limits polygamy, commanding a man to be content with one wife if he fears he cannot be equitable, and stating that equity among wives is impossible.1, 2, 3
Unless we are absolutely sure God's law will not be abused, we should resist our lust and stay away from polygamy.1
When the earth was young and under-populated, polygamy was one way of populating it with the humans needed to carry out God's plan.1
The Quran does not limit polygamy to four wives; the verse mentioning two, three, or four is not a limitation, and the Prophet married most of his wives after it came down.1, 2, 3
Polygamy is God's law and is allowed, but abusing it or any of God's laws brings severe retribution that is not worth it.1, 2, 3
The criterion for polygamy is whether it alleviates sorrow or creates it, and whether one is driven by lust or by charitable feelings.1, 2, 3
The Prophet Muhammad is the perfect example on polygamy: he had one wife for 25 years, and after Khadijah died he married widows of his friends to give their children his name.1, 2, 3
Men and women are equal before God, and the Quran discourages wife beating and polygamy and encourages righteousness by both sexes.1
Polygamy is warranted only in unusual circumstances, and a husband who is not certain he can be perfectly fair to all parties should not take that chance.1
Following the Quran, Muhammad limited the number of wives a man could have and strongly recommended against polygamy.1
Polygamy is a lawful way of life, as Solomon married hundreds of women, and the Prophet was married to his first wife Khadija alone for 25 years.1
A man who fears he cannot treat multiple wives fairly must not practice polygamy and should be content with one wife.1, 2
Monogamy is the basis of normal relationships, and polygamy is an exception allowed for marrying the mothers of orphans so they are cared for.1, 2, 3
The Quran holds monogamy as the ideal married state while allowing conditional polygamy, and it teaches due obedience of the young to parents and care of orphans.1
A man whose present family is still young is likely abusing God's law if he takes another wife.1
Muhammad is the perfect example on this subject because he had only one wife, Khadijah, for twenty five years, which shows a man must give his full attention and loyalty to his wife and children.1, 2
No one can trick or deceive God, so abusing His law is a gross offense and a man must examine himself carefully before practicing polygamy.1
Polygamy helped populate the young earth, but by the time the Quran came the world had enough people, so the Quran set the first limits and discouragements on polygamy.1, 2
Polygamy is not forbidden. It is God's law and permissible, but only under strictly observed circumstances, and any abuse of it brings severe retribution.1
Polygamy, if practiced at all, must relieve suffering and must not cause pain to the present wife or children, or it should be reconsidered.1, 2
Taking a younger wife out of lust shows a man is a slave to his desires, angers God, and brings severe retribution, since true believers are marked by self-discipline.1, 2
The Quran requires a man with several wives to treat them with absolute fairness, and it also says such fairness is impossible.1
Unless we are absolutely sure God's law is not being abused, we should avoid polygamy and devote ourselves to one wife and one family, especially where polygamy is illegal.1, 2
The Quran permits marrying more than one wife and forbids marrying an idolatress, and these laws were revealed before Sura 33.1, 2, 3
Polygamy is discouraged because a man can never be equitable with more than one wife, and he must not leave a wife hanging.1, 2