In the Name of Allah. Peace and blessings be upon Allah's Messenger.
I have reviewed the article published in AlYamamah magazine, issue dated 18 Rabi` Awwal, 1385 A.H. entitled "The problem of the week", and read what was written by Mr. Nasir ibn `Abdullah in offering solution for the problem of sister M. A. L. referred to in the issue of 11 Rabi` Awwal, 1385 A.H., under the title,
I also read what was written by Ibn AlSurah on solving the same problem. Thus, I discovered that what was written by Mr. Nasir was a good solution that conforms to the right and should be adopted by the sister experiencing the problem. She should adhere to good manners, noble character, and graceful patience, and thus, she would overcome all the difficulties and would see good consequences.
If the harm she suffers and injustice she undergoes at the hand of her husband, she should gently, amiably, and patiently ask him to set matters fairly. We wish she could realize her request and stay home with her husband, for this is nearest to justice insha'aAllah (if Allah wills).
Yet, if the harm is inflicted by her cowife (in polygyny), then the husband should prevent harm providing a separate place for the wronged wife with the necessary maintenance and finding a female companion for her if she cannot stay at home alone. The husband should also be objective, seek fairness, and keep away from all forms of harm; otherwise and in case none of his relatives or friends could solve the problem she has nothing left to do but to take the matter to court.
Before that, however, she should supplicate to Allah (Exalted be He) and sincerely ask Him to relieve her of her distress, facilitate her affairs, and guide her husband and cowife to what is right and fair.
She should also reconsider her condition, adopt righteousness and repent to her Lord (Exalted be He) of her negligence towards herself and her husband, for distresses only befall slaves because of the sins they earn, as Allah (Exalted be He) says,
And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (See the Qur'ân Verse 35:45).
As for the solution offered by Ibn AlSurah for the problem, it is a solution offered by a person who is ignorant of the Shari`ah and its rulings. In fact, he needs to be led to the light and directed to what is right as he has fallen into a more dangerous and more dismal problem than that befalling the complaining wife. Such a problem is nothing other than his disapproval of polygyny and allegation that it is a serious disease that should be fought by all means leading to the control of this inveterate vice that threatens the stability of our society. He further called upon the government to proscribe it.
He also alleged that the one who seeks to practice polygyny is an ignorant person and we should cooperate in preventing him from fulfilling his bestial desires and in rooting out this malady.
I believe these words could not be issued by anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day,
and knows that the Glorious Qur'an and the Purified Sunnah have permitted polygyny, and the Muslims concurred on its lawfulness. So, how can a Muslim disapprove of the Qur'anic statement of its permissibility, as Allah (Exalted be He) says,
Thus, Allah (Exalted be He) has permitted His Slaves through this verse to marry women of their choice, two or three or four, on the condition of justice. However, this ignorant person alleges that polygyny is a serious disease and an inveterate malady that disunites the family and disturbs its stability, and then should be fought. He also alleges that the one who seeks to practice polygyny is similar to an animal. This is a heinous claim that implies belittlement of those who marry two or more women, on top of whom is the Master of humans and the Jinn, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) practiced polygamy; he had nine wives at the same time. Yet, Allah benefited the Ummah through those wives and they conveyed beneficial knowledge, good morals, and noble