بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

This is a short research paper on the ruling of polygyny, which I have titled: التعدُّد بين الإباحةِ والتعبُّد Polygyny: Between Permissibility and Worship The objective is to answer the following question: What is the default ruling on polygyny? [Disclaimer: This is a general discussion on the ruling of polygyny. Individual cases may vary, so one should seek proper counsel before making decisions]. May Allāh make this humble effort a source of benefit for Islam and the Muslims. ----------------- INTRODUCTION What is the default ruling on polygyny? After establishing that polygyny is permissible by consensus, scholars differ regarding its status as a recommended practice (Sunnah), resulting in two primary views: 1⃣. Polygyny is NOT a recommended practice; it is simply mubāḥ (permissible); Similar to sleeping, eating, walking, or speaking—it carries no reward or sin in and of itself. 2⃣. Polygyny IS Sunnah (rewardable) for those capable of fulfilling its requirements. This second opinion is stronger based on the following: ▪️POINT 1 Allāh ﷻ said: {وَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَلَّا تُقۡسِطُوا۟ فِی ٱلۡیَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَاۤءِ مَثۡنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَۖ فَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُوا۟ فَوَ ٰ⁠حِدَةً أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَیۡمَـٰنُكُمۡۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ أَدۡنَىٰۤ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟} "If you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan women, then marry other women of your choice—two, three, or four. But if you fear that you will not be able to maintain justice, then marry only one, or those whom your right hand possesses. This is the most suitable way to avoid injustice." [Sūrah An-Nisāʾ: 3] Point of Evidence: If a man fears that he cannot maintain justice, then he should suffice with one wife. Otherwise, he is encouraged to marry two, three, or four. [https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/1782/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF] Also, Allāh began with polygyny, and the Prophet ﷺ said: ((أبدأ بما بدأ الله به)) "I begin with what Allāh began with." [Reported by Muslim on the authority of Jābir] Shaykh ’Uthaymīn raḥimahullāh explained: "One of the benefits of this ḥadīth is to pay attention to the order in which things are mentioned in the Qur’ān: giving precedence to what comes first and considering what follows afterward. For example, the Muhājirūn are considered superior to the Anṣār because Allāh mentions them first: {والسابقون الأولون من المهاجرين والأنصار}. " [https://alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=36403] Note: This is not an absolute rule, but in this case, order is taken into account due to the other points that follow. Some may argue that this Āyah was revealed specifically concerning those responsible for orphans. In response, we say: العبرة بعموم اللفظ لا بخصوص السبب "The focus is in the general wording, not in the specific reason." For instance, Allāh says: {فاسألوا أهل الذكر إن كنتم لا تعلمون} "Ask the people of knowledge if you do not know." [Sūrah An-Naḥl: 43] Ibn Kathīr raḥimahullāh states that this Āyah was revealed concerning the scholars among the Jews and Christians. Does this mean the Āyah is restricted to them alone? Of course not. As-Suyūṭī raḥimahullāh in Al-Itqān explains that although many Āyāt were revealed regarding specific events, their rulings extend beyond those events. Examples include: -> The Āyah of Thihār, revealed concerning Salamah ibn Sakhr -> The Āyah of Li’ān, revealed concerning Hilāl ibn Umayyah -> The punishment for falsely accusing someone of fornication, revealed regarding those who accused ʿĀ’ishah may Allāh be pleased with her. Returning to the Āyah: {فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم} Allāh is encouraging men, in general terms, to marry two, three, or four wives, provided they maintain justice.