Islam is the best religion, but Muslims are the worst followers
George bernard shaw
These famous words have often been quoted by many progressive Muslim writers, but probably these men and women have ended up being labelled as anti-Muslims or targeted by the self-proclaimed protectors of Islam.
One of the most controversial issue amongst Muslims has been the practice of polygamy. This has also resulted in certain sections of majority’s fundamental groups taking up the cause of “Muslim sisters” who have suffered due to the practice of polygamy and has also resulted in calls for penal actions against Muslim men who marry more than once. Not that there is any real love but, it is only the behaviour of the Muslims themselves, that results in the attack on Islam.
Unfortunately, here applies the truth of George Bernard Shaw’s statement. No doubt Muslims can marry four times, but that is not a blanket permission. The principles of equity of rights of the woman/women in marriage are paramount.
The essence of the issue of monogamy in Islam as opposed to the perceived permission for polygamy has very perfectly been deal with very recently by the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam. In Jubairiya v. Saidalavi N1, the Hon’ble Single Judge, while deciding a Revision Petition against an order of the Family Court denying maintenance to the Petitioner u/s 125 of the Cr. PC., has very intellectually dealt with the issue.
In paras 9 and 10 of the Judgement, the Hon’ble Court has explained how Islam prescribes only monogamy and that polygamy is an exception. Paras 9 and 10 are reproduced below for a clearer understanding:
“9. There is a misconception that a Muslim man can marry more than one woman in all situations if he wishes to do so. Quran Chapter 4, verse 3 reads like this:
“(3) And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then 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 those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].”
Quran Chapter 4, verse 129 reads like this:
“(129) And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend [you affairs] and fear Allah-then indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.” (Relied on the English translation of Sri Mohammed Azad)
10. The spirit and intention of these verses is monogamy, and polygamy is only an exception. The Holy Quran greatly stresses ‘justice’. If a Muslim man can give justice to his first wife, second wife, third wife and fourth wife, then only marriage more than once is permissible. The majority of the people in the muslim community are followers of Monogamy, even if they have the wealth to maintain more than one wife. That is the true spirit of the Holy Quran also. The small minority among the muslim community who are following polygamy, forgetting the verses of the Holy Quran, are to be educated by the religious leaders and society.”
Before parting with this small article, I cannot help but comment on the observation of the Hon’ble Court on the role that the religious leaders ought to play in educating the Muslim Ummah. Sadly, the rot starts from the doors of most of the religious and social leaders. Islam has been distorted time and again by the religious leaders for various reasons including political and social gains.
I hope that those who would care to read this would appreciate that Islam does not permit polygamy and prescribes strict rules of justice and equity to the wife. Islam also looks down upon the practice of divorce, a subject that could be written about separately.
- RPFC No.221 of 2021 decided on 15 September 2025
