Can Men Have Four Wives in Islam?
What does the Quran say about polygamy? Can a man be married to any four wives at the same time?
The law for polygamy is found in verse 4:3 of the Quran.
If we start by reading 4:2 first, we note that God is addressing men who are either supporting orphans or acting as guardians to the orphans. The words that follow are:
And if you fear that you may not be just to the orphans, then you may marry whom you please of the women, two, three, or four. But if you fear being unfair, then only one, or what your right hand possesses, for that will make it less likely that you act unfairly.
Quran ~ 4:3
By reading the words in 4:3, we immediately realize that the purpose for which God allowed polygamy is in the best interests of the orphans, and not for the personal pleasure of men.
The Quran sets two clear conditions that must be met before polygamy may be allowed.
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The man must be supporting orphans, and
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He must fear he may not provide them with sufficient care.
A second wife would help the man in the raising of the orphans who are not getting the care they require. This would also provide the orphans with a mother figure who would offer them the love and care they need.
If a man is supporting a larger number of orphans, he may take a third and fourth wife as the need may require.
But the man must be able to treat his wives equally and without favoring one wife over the others. This condition is made clear in the words "if you fear being unfair, then only one".
Genuine Submitters to the Law of God will give due attention to all the conditions set by God in the Quran and strive to uphold them.
We thus brought it down as a law in Arabic. If you follow their personal desires, after the knowledge which has come to you, you will have no ally nor protector against God.
Quran ~ 13:37
Peace & God Bless
References:
https://www.quran-islam.org/articles/part_3/polygamy_in_quran_(P1411).html