كن شجاعا!

A big question is asked: Why doesn’t our Shaykh write to the rulers and require them to encourage young men to practice polygyny? Especially when a certain Islamic country’s leader has adopted this view. He says: women are far more than men, so why is this Sunnah not revived? Sheikh Salih As-Suhaimi: We call to this matter and we call to polygyny, even though some women became upset with us. We call to it day and night, and we ourselves practice it, all praise is due to Allāh. We say: O young men, whoever among you is able to practice polygyny, then let him do so. “Marry women of your choice, two, three, or four.” So strive, may Allāh take care of you, and start with yourself. Go ahead, in the name of Allāh—invite us soon, in shā’ Allah, in these coming days. Start with yourself. Every Muslim who finds in himself the financial, emotional, and physical ability should not delay this. Do not wait until you grow old—then women may no longer accept you. Act now, but only if you believe that you will most likely be just, by Allāh’s permission. “But if you fear that you will not be just, then one.” I am not forcing you, and no one can force you. No one has the right to force this matter. It is optional and depends on the man, his situation, his responsibility, his ability, energy, strength, wealth, or poverty. This issue has rules and details that need (explanation)...But if you find ability within yourself, O servant of Allāh, then welcome—come forward, revive this Sunnah, and strive to anger the enemies of Islam from among actors and entertainers. The word فنّان “artist” in Arabic can even mean “donkey” in some usages, and this meaning truly fits some of them. It can also mean someone skilled in an art; and so there is كتاب الفنون by Ibn ’Aqeel and others, so that meaning exists—but one of its meanings does indeed apply to some of these people. Strive to keep your women and daughters away from listening to plays and dramas broadcast here and there on lowly satellite channels—most of them truly are corrupt. Stay away from them, because they tempt women, make them dislike polygyny, and cause problems. People look at some problems that happen in homes because of polygyny, but they do not look at the problems of unmarried women who remain at home. I know that about twenty years ago, a woman wrote in our newspapers saying that she went to Shaykh Ibn Bāz more than twenty-five years earlier and said: “Shaykh, find me even a quarter of a husband,” meaning she was willing to be a fourth wife. Shaykh Ibn Bāz rahimahullah himself told me that a woman once called him and said: “Shaykh, find me even a quarter of a husband, even if I am the fourth.” Which is more corrupt: some mistakes made by a small number of men who are negligent and do not act justly—or the immoral acts practiced here and there? Which is worse: applying this Islamic ruling, or wandering around and travelling to Western countries and lands of prostitution? Someone told me that his wife said to him: “Go anywhere and commit adultery, but do not marry another wife!” We ask Allāh for safety. Look what these TV dramas have done to our women—how they tempted them until it reached this level. She allows him to go anywhere, even to places of immorality, just so long as he does not marry another woman. “I’ll give you two or three months—go wherever you want.” Ṭāsh Mā Ṭāsh (a TV show). May Allāh not reward Ṭāsh Mā Ṭāsh or those behind it with any good. So this matter requires a Muslim to be careful, to strive, and to abandon this ugly habit. Do not turn away from polygyny, O servant of Allāh. Be courageous and be honest. Do not do things secretly. If you can only marry in secret, then do not proceed—because it seems you cannot be just. “If you fear you will not be just, then one.” But if you find goodness within yourself, and the ability to be just, and the ability to provide maintenance, clothing, and so on, then revive this Sunnah and anger the enemies of Islam—from among actors, actresses, and entertainers—slaves of desires and doubts.