The Epoch Times in their April 20-26 edition reports that a Singaporean Muslim man convicted of rape has 10 wives and 64 children. He was sentenced to 32 years and a caning. I am curious about the practice of multiple wives.
131543
hey.. in islam .. men are allowed to have only 4 wives.. no more than that..\nbut nowadays rarely men marry more than 1 women...\nand that thing u wrote under ur question.. \nmen are NOT ALLOWED 2 HAVE MORE THAN 4 WIVES... him havin 10 and all those children ..is forbidden and wrong in islam..
238376
I dunno, but some Egyptian kings had over 200 children with different wives.
204982
Call the police. If he has raped you press charges. Just because you are married to some one does not give them the right to force sex on you. And your children will understand when they get older. The guy sounds crazy, you need to protect your family. You really need to talk to the police and see how they can help you. And turn to the Bible for answers as well. You do have scriptuall grounds for divorce and re-marriage. You really need to change your situation. Hope everything gets better for you and you children! I'll pray for you!
60576
Mohammad had 9 wives all together.  (see explanation below)\n\nHe did not personally kill anyone.  Not even in battle.  He did not wage war on anyone.  The battles that he was involved in were waged against him by the corrupt rulers of Mecca.  He was preaching for equality and abolishing slavery and calling to the worship of the One and Only God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.\n\nThe Meccan leaders were profitting quite a bit from the practice of idol worshipping.  They also practiced slavery, gambling, and many other things that God forbids.  They had a lot to loose if people started listening to him.  They chose to fight him to maintain their status and power.\n\nThe reason people thought he was a prophet is the same reason people thought that Abraham, David, Moses, and others were prophets.  He came to call people to denounce the worship of idols, dissolve distinctions between people and establish brotherhood among all, abolish slavery, stop gambling, and put to an end many of the corrupt things the people were doing at the time.\n\nBut the biggest single reason people thought he was a prophet was the Quran.  This revelation did not sound like it came from man; it sounded divine.  Also, before the message was revealed to him by the Angel Gabriel, he was known to be a very kind and trust-worthy person among the Arabs of Mecca.  Plus the fact that he was illiterate which meant that he would have been incapable of producing such marvelous text.\n\nMany agree that Prophet Muhammad is mentioned in the bible.  Jesus (peace be upon him) speaks of a comforter, "the spirit of truth", which will come and lead the people to the worship of the One and Only God.  Many argue that this comforter is the holy spirit.  Well, if I'm not mistaken, the holy spirit is the Angel Gabriel who was the deliverer of the message to Prophet Muhammad.\n\n======== Why 9 wives ========\n\nAs far as his marriage to 9 wives, we have to understand what was going on at the time; each of these marriages was for a reason.  Many of them, the prophet married for protection of these women.  Either their husbands died in battle, or they were old and needed care.  \n\nOthers were for strengthening ties between the different tribes.  There would be ill feelings between certain tribes if the prophet married from one and not the other.  The prophet also married a lady called Mary the Coptic.  She was Christian, and he wanted to let the Muslims know that it would be OK to marry women of the book (i.e. Jews and Christians).\n\nCould he be called a man of fleshly desires because of this?  I say not.  The reason is when he was 25, he married Khadija (who was 40).  He stayed married only to her until her death 25 years later.  If he was truly a sexual deviant (wal-iazu billah), then he would have had many exploits at his prime.  It is also reported that some of his marriages were only to give the women that title; nothing more.\n\nSo before we rush to judgment, let's first understand what was going on at the time and look into it before we hasten to a bad conclusion.  After all, this was 1400 years ago, and he was sent to what may be the most corrupt people in history.\n\nAnd God only knows best.
102306
I never understood why 2 men (or 2 women) who love eachother and are not hurting others should be punished by death BUT Muslims can highly exalt a man (even above Jesus) who married a 9 year old girl. Don't you think a grown man HURTS a 9 year old girl? That would be the one thing that would prevent me from ever being Muslim if there was ever a chance for it in the first place.
207873
This goes back to the earlier times when islam was introduced. Before islam People did not respect females and rape and adultry was at its peak. The ratio of men to women was really high and females were either killed at birth or were seen as signs of disrespect for families.\n\nSo following are the reasons that come to my mind for this decision.\n\n- So females would feel secure and no one would hurt them as they would come under the protection of a man. (we are talking about old times and not about 21st century - but its still true that females feel more secure if they have a man to protect them and to love them)\n\n- So men would not cheat on their wives (It is still proven that men/women cheat on their partners with others because they cannot control their sexual urges).\n\n- This would help reduce sexually transmitted diseases as then males would not be going for prostitutions or having extra maritual affairs.\n\nBut the most important thing to note here is that getting married to 4 females is not mandatory, its not obligatory that a muslim has to marry 4 females. \n\nAnother important clause that comes in having more than 1 wives is that you have to be equal to all your wives and make sure that everyone gets equal treatment and respect. I think this is the most important clause coz its very difficult to be equal to all. \n\nThe worst is that people dont understand that these laws are made for their own benefits and they have to fullfill the requirements before taking the steps. They have to understand that its not a previlage, its a responsibility and it has to be taken seriously. Wrong projections and implementation from ignorant indiviuals is what creates problems.\n\nI personally think one is more than enough for me :) .... like i said ... its not mandatory, its just a choice :)
103157
You people are soo naive!!! First of all the Islamic religion does NOT AGREE nor ACCEPT child molestation!!! \n\nUnderstanding this issue of the Prophet's marriages is that we judge a 7th century style of life with a 21st century criterion. The way he married a 9-year-old girl was not out of the norms of both time and place, specially when you know that the girls of this region – desert - till now reach their puberty in an early time - nine and ten years old. \n\nIt is important to know that girls during the Biblical and Islamic days used to be married off at young ages when they either had their first periods, or their breasts start showing off.  In other words, when they turn into "women", then they get married off.  It was quite different for men on the other hand, because physical power and the ability of living an independent life had always been and will always be a mandatory requirement for men to have in life.  So men waited much longer than women in terms of getting married.  The guy had to develop both his body and mind before he was ready for marriage.  \n\nThat is why you see girls as young as 9 or 10 were married to men as old as 30 or even older.  The culture back then and in many third world countries today (NON-MUSLIM ONES TOO) is quite different than what you live in today.\n\nProphet Muhammad's marriage with Aisha was 100% legal and acceptable by all laws and Divine Religions!\n\nSo to call Prophet Muhammad a pedophile for marrying a girl that was OFFERED TO HIM by her parents and was accepted by all of the people back then including the enemies of Islam, the pagans, is quite absurd.
273953
I think they are allowed to have 4 wives..as the answerer's above stated.  But I think the real question should have been how do 4 wives get along with each other?  Is there one more respected..and what of the children?
96016
Yes, it is true.\nMy Arab friend tells me the stories and I read about them all the time.\nI think some of them just don't respect these women because they're not Muslim, plus they think she's just a housemaid, and that they mistake that even though Saud Arabia abolished slavery many years ago, they still think it's okay to rape a housemaid.\nIn Islam, a man is allowed up to 4 wives, and any women on the right hand he possesses. This means slaves. However, a housemaid is PAID a salary to do housework in the house, not a slave, not a sex worker, she's not a woman on the right hand.\nSome of these men are sick, cruel, barbaric and they make Islam look so bad with their disgusting, illiterate thinking.
108533
One of the condition that Quran allows more than wife is that you treat them equally. These verse were originally revealed regarding orphans, when there were many in the society and polygamy was required to have these girls to get a married life.\n"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one" Quran 4: 3. \n\nBut Quran also states in another place that it is very difficult to treat equally\n"You are never able to be fair and just as between wives, even if it is your ardent desire: " Quran 4:129. \n\nSo there is an indirect reference to have only one wife but in rare circumstances more than one can be married. Sometimes when male population in a society is less than females, polygamy may be required to have all the women lead a family life.\n\nEdit:\nShe can of course persuade her husband if she do not like him having another wife or state a condition on marriage that he should not take another wife. I am from a muslim family, it is very rare for men to have more than one wife. Actually I don't know anyone in my family who have married more than one.
387209
Of course they are not married. Furthermore they must have committed INCEST. Otherwise HOW could they multiply?\n\nI wonder why the Almighty God overlooked this. \nIf Almighty God is really smart, then he should have created a minimum of 2 couples.
370701
She was 6 when they got married and 9 when she moved in to his house consumated the marraige.\nI dont think she had any children though.\nSad but true\nWe can only hope that there was some Unseeable purpose or wisdom behind it.\nShe did go on to become the greatest female scholar in the history of Islam thereafter and recorded/narrated nearly a quarter of the Holy Quraan.\n\nI strongly disagree with the argument that the social norms should dictate morality. just because something is acceptable at the time does not make it right. If rape were to become socialy acceptable as it has become in many poor African countries like the one i live in does this mean that women should accept it and allow that kind of abuse to continue?\n\nThe best argument is that of the Prophets (SAW) intentions were pure and that the maraige was not sexually motivated. Arguments about social norms and acceptability in the time context are not in my opinion valid.
247584
ok. sorry for that. \n\nsee, how bad this word is , and how bad experience it would be for woman...Islam gives woman equal rights and there is a high value for the modesty of woman.  and thats why rape is capital punishment in islam. and rapist must be put to death. because this is one of the heinous crimes besides murder etc. \n\nwoman is considered as innocent in this case. and if her husband still wants her for his wife, why not! \ni am not a scholar but this is very common knowledge for muslims. \n\nHOPE THIS ANSWERS. \n\nplease check these websites\n\n\nhttp://www.jannah.org/genderequity/\nhttp://www.jamaat.org/islam/WomanMarriage.html\n\nhttp://www.islamtomorrow.com/women/\n\nvideo of "womans rights in islam - modernizing or outdated" >> http://www.aswatalislam.net/DisplayFilesP.aspx?TitleID=50027&TitleName=Zakir_Naik
240569
how dare you\n\nno its not the truth\n\nhe did NOT marry a six year old\nAisha was NOT 6, she was 9!!\nand that just shows the differences between the social structure of now and then. Now it seems weird to us that he married a nine year old, but then it was perfectly normal. If they were to look ahead at us and at what age we usually married, they would be SHOCKED that we married at ages 18-30\n\nI congratulate you for at least being a person of the book (Muslim, christian, Jew) But if you were a REAL christian you wouldn't believe or say any of this nonsense. if that is how you feel you should keep it to yourself OR why don't you just join all those other polytheistic non believers?\n\nWHAT IS WITH ALL YOU CHRISTIANS HERE!?\nWHY DO YOU FIND SUCH WRONG IN ONE OF THE RELIGIONS OF THE BOOK.\nIF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD AND JESUS, you wouldn't be saying any of this. Believe what you want to, think what you want, just don't Say things like this\n\nNO, the Koran DOESN'T encourage stuff like that, almost every Muslim in America has at LEAST 5 friends that aren't Muslim, and they don't go cutting their throats in the middle of the night!\nYou guys, Please learn the truth!!!!\n\nwww.thisisislam.islamacademy.com\nWatch this, its good for you.
330950
Perm dude, have you ever actually read about Islam???\n\n\nFirst of All, Rape is considered a terrible crime in Islam. A raped woman is regarded as a total victim and It is stated in the Quoran that rape is one of the greatest sins/crimes.\n\nThis sounds like asking, if someone was robbed, will his people disown him? of course not and if that happened it has NOTHING to do with Islam...\n\nIn Islam, the raped woman is a total victim and the rapist is regarded as a ciminal who should be severely punished...or even killed! \n\nIf the raped woman was a virgin, she has the right to do a re-hymenization surgery and not tell anyone about the rape.\n\nTrue muslim people sould fully support rape victims.\n\nIn Muslim countries, Rapists are usually jailed for 25 years and sometimes condemned to death..\n\nIslam NEVER asked people to disown rape victims, he asked people to support them and punish rapists....\n\n\nPeace!
622794
I see the difference, asker. If you are not from the Middle East and would be interested in learning more of womens' lives in Saudi Arabia, you should read the book I cited in the source. It was so difficult to put down, and very enlightening. I'm glad I read it.\n\nThe Qu'ran regarding women who break the Islamic law against sex crimes:\n\nSura IV, 15\nIf any of your women are guilty of lewdness, take the evidence of four witnesses from against you, against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them.\n\nTHIS DOESN'T MEAN THE "GUILTY PARTY TESTIFIES - IT IS THE TESTIMONY OF THE FOUR WITNESSES - It means she will be put into a completely darkened room with nothing at all and nobody will ever speak to her again. Food and water will sometimes be pushed under/through the door. Death could take many years.\n\nThe Qu'ran regarding men who break the Islamic law against sex crimes:\n\nSura IV, 16\nIf two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, leave them alone.\n\nCRIMES OF HUDUD (crimes denounced by God):\nthey include theft, drinking of alcohol, defamation of Islam, dornication, and adultry:\nguilty of theft - pay a fine, improsnment, amputation of right hand\nguilty of drinking or doing drugs - receive 80 lashes\nguilty of defamation of Islam - usually flogging\nguilty of fornication - flogging (usual number is 40 lashes)\nguilty of adultry - if the guilty party is married - death by stoning, beheading, or shooting\n\nCRIMES OF QUISAS (crimes against a victim or his family):\nThe family of the victim has the right to retaliate and decide the sentence. Generally "an eye for an eye" type of thing, but sometimes a monetary fine.
664166
Actually i don't really understand your question .. but I'll answer it as if you are asking about "Why men marry 4 women in Islam and why women can't marry 4 men?" ... OK? ...\n\nFirst of all ... Islam is the only religion that said "marry only one" ... and the proof from Quran is:\n4:3\n"And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), THEN ONLY ONE or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice."\n\nand although Muslim man is allowed to treat his slave(s) or his captive(s) as his wife ... he should not do that against their will ... an dthe proof from Quran is :\n\n24:33\n"And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah enriches them of His Bounty. And such of your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation), give them such writing, if you know that they are good and trustworthy. And give them something yourselves out of the wealth of Allah which He has bestowed upon you. And force not your maids to prostitution, if they desire chastity, in order that you may make a gain in the (perishable) goods of this worldly life. But if anyone compels them (to prostitution), then after such compulsion, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to those women, i.e. He will forgive them because they have been forced to do this evil action unwillingly)."\n\nNow ... teh reasons why men CAN (not should) marry 4 women is:\n1- sexual desire at men is stronger than women ... \n\n2- if his wife has a desease or anything that makes him unable to treat her normally as a wife , but he wishs not to divorce her ...\n\n3- man can make parrallel sexual relationships .. and we can still recognize the father ... while woman cannot make parallel sexual relationship because of the responsibility of the relations (taking care of each husband as a wife and all of the children as a mother .. get pregnant .. needed as a wife for each of them !!!) ... and it's going to be hard to recognize the father ...\n\nbesides it has been proven lately that women with parallel sexual relationships get the womp canser ...\n\n4- women numbers are getting greater than men numbers due to wars and natural desastars ... so eventually there is going to be alot of women with no men if a man doesn't marry except one ...\n\nso these women has only one way to get sexual relationships which is to be prostitutes for married men ... which ruins the already established relationships "stable marriages" and makes men do sexual relations aoutside marriage which is forbidden as a major sin...\n\nso if men married tehse women ... it will be better for everyone ... \n\nactually in my country we are getting near to that problem ... where girls are getting near 30 and even over 30 and didn't get married yet because women outnumbered men ...\n\ni hope i answered your question .. with my best regards...