Facts About Women/Marriage/Mutaah

 

  1. How does God command that Women should be treated by Believers?
  2. What is God's commandant's  concerning polygyny(multiple wives) in Islam?
  3. Is Polygyny(multiple wives) legal  in the United States?
  4. What is mutaah?
  5. Is Mutaah permissible in The Holy Quran?
                             The following is a email that was sent to an Islamic Study Group,                                    reproduced with the writer's permission

Peace and Blessings To All,

     "4:1" The Idea of a Master soul or a master mold in the creation of all Human life would be consistent with other ayats. However I don't feel that there is any great significance in the fact that her name was not mentioned. The names of the Prophet's wives were not mentioned but they were all promised a great reward from their Lord, if they Obeyed Allah and Followed The Messenger.

The definition of Orphans : I agree; The earlier definition of "Orphaned" states a loss not of both parents but also of one parent. Based on the way women where treated prior to Islam, and the time during the Life of the Prophet that this Surah was sent. We can guest that it was referring to the lost of the male parent.  Understanding this definition I think it brings the ayats from 4:1 -4:6 into a whole new light.

> 4:3: In my Understanding of this ayat and subsequent ayats I have counted about 7 conditions which must be meet before a Muslim can take other Wives.

The following is my reasoning
    Allah Most Gracious, is never inconsistent. It would be inconsistent for God to Tell us He Created us in Pairs and then tell us it is OK for a Man to have more than one Wife. The Story of Adam and Eve would not make sense. It would only make sense if He made Adam and Eves(plural), which is clearly not the case. If we examine the stories of the prophets we can see the truth of this in at least two stories: The Story of Abraham(pbuh) and The Story of Zachariah(pbuh).    

    Both Abraham and Zachariah both had wives that were barren. They could have easily had, If it had been Allah's Will, married other women who could had provided them with children. But they did not, as a matter of fact they apparently grew quite old with them.

    Also the case of Abraham: I think it is more than coincidental that The Most Gracious, Most Merciful would consistently mention that as gift, He bestowed Isaac(pbuh) to Abraham and Jacob(pbuh), a grandson as an additional gift. Most Muslims believe, based on stories in the Bible, that Ishmael(pbuh) is Abraham's son but to My knowledge He has not been acknowledged as such in The Holy Quran. Again there is consistency in the feeling that God advocates a monogamous and Lawful relationship.4:27.

Seven conditions which must met before a Muslim can have more than one wife.

  • 1)IT MUST BE A WAY OF DOING JUSTICE TO ORPHANS
  • 2)He must be the Trusty of an Orphans Property.
  • 3)He must fear he cannot do justice to an orphan (by releasing their property?).
  • 4)the woman has to agree to marry Him.
  • 5)He must desire Chastity not lewdness.
  • 6)He must offer a dower and it must be accepted.
  • 7)She cannot be in the prohibited group as described in ayats 4:23-4:24.

    •     Even though The Most Gracious Allows Muslims to marry believing girls that their right hand posses. Based on my analysis of ayats 4:2-4:3, I don't see that Muslims are allowed to marry more than one of them. Simply because they would no be doing justice to orphans.

     If anyone has any thoughts or questions about my interpretation, I would be happy to hear from you.

    Peace,

    Robert P.

    In The Name Of Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

    How does God command that Women should be treated by Believers?

    Surah 4:Women
    1. O mankind! fear your Guardian Lord, Who created you from a single person, created out of it his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- fear Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (be heedful) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.

    34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, Great (above you all).


    Surah 5: The Table Spread
    5. This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues. If any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

    Surah 9: Repentance
    71. The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, pay Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.
    72. Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting stay. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. that is the supreme felicity.

    Surah 33: The Confederates
    35. For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's remembrance,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward

    Surah 49: The Inner Apartments
    11. O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh at others: it may be that the (latter are better than the (former): nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: and those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.

    Surah 85: The Zodiacal Signs
    10. Those who persecute the Believers, men and women, and do not turn in repentance, will have the Chastisement of Hell: they will have the Chastisement of the Burning Fire.
    11. For those who believe and do righteous deeds, will be Gardens; beneath which rivers flow: that is the great Triumph,
    12. Truly strong is the Grip of thy Lord.
    13. It is He Who creates from the very beginning, and He can restore (life).
    14. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Full of Loving-Kindness,
    15. Lord of the Throne, Full of all Glory,
    16. Doer (without let) of all that He intends.

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    What is God's commandant's  concerning polygyny(multiple wives) in Islam?

    Surah 4:Women
    1. O mankind! fear your Guardian Lord, Who created you from a single person, created out of it his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- fear Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (be heedful) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.
    2. To orphans restore their property (when they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin.
    3. If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
    4. And give the women (on marriage) their dower as a free gift; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it with right good cheer.

    127. They ask thy instruction concerning the women: Say: Allah doth instruct you about them: And (remember) what hath been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans of women to whom ye give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom ye desire to marry, as also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: that ye stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed which ye do, but Allah is well-acquainted therewith.
    128. If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practice self-restraint, Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
    129. Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire: But turn not away (from a woman) altogether, so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air). If ye come to a friendly understanding, and practice self- restraint, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
    130. But if they disagree (and must part), Allah will provide abundance for each of them from His all-reaching bounty: for Allah is He that careth for all and is Wise.


    Surah 33: The Confederates
    50. O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the captives of war whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts, and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts, who migrated (from Makkah) with thee; and any believing woman who gives herself to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her;- this only for thee, and not for the Believers (at large); We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess;- in order that there should be no difficulty for thee. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
    51. Thou mayest defer (the turn of) any of them that thou pleasest, and thou mayest receive any thou pleasest: and there is no blame on thee if thou invite one whose (turn) thou hadst set aside. This were nigher to the cooling of their eyes, the prevention of their grief, and their satisfaction - that of all of them - with that which thou hast to give them: and Allah knows (all) that is in your hearts: and Allah is All- Knowing, Most Forbearing.
    52. It is not lawful for thee (to marry more) women after this, nor to change them for (other) wives, even though their beauty attract thee, except any thy right hand should possess (as handmaidens): and Allah doth watch over all things.

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    Is Polygyny(multiple wives) legal  in the United States?

      Bigamy is the crime committed when a person man or woman who is legally married and undivorced, and whose spouse is living, contracts a marriage with a second person. Bigamy, which literally means "second marriage," is a crime only in monogamous societies. In some countries polygamy, or plural marriage, is legal.
       Although bigamy is a crime in the United States    , the U. S. federal system complicates the bases for prosecution. Each state is in part free to make its own determinations as to the legal effect of divorces granted in other states. A notable reinforcement of this principle was the 1945 Supreme Court ruling in Williams v. North Carolina that a Nevada divorce did not have to be recognized in North Carolina because the parties had not established legal domicile in Nevada under North Carolina law. Another matter of differing jurisdictions concerns the unexplained absence of spouses; many, but not all courts consider a spouse dead if missing for seven years or more.
    Bibliography: Deer, John, Bigamy, Polygamy and Polyandry: A Comprehensive Bibliography (1986).

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    What is mutaa?

    Mutaah or Temporary Marriage.

    A marriage for a fixed period was recognized before Islam. It went under the name of "mutaah" , meaning profiting by or enjoying a thing. It is a temporary contract entered by Men and Women for the sole purpose of having sex. This custom has emerge in some "Islamic States" to appease the promiscuousness in the younger generations. It is IMPORTANT to note that this was a pagan ritual originaly.

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    Is Mutaah permissible in The Holy Quran?

    [Ties of lineage are foremost in the sight of Our Lord]

    25:54. It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things).
    33.6 The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. Blood-relations among each other have closer personal ties, in the Book of Allah. Than (the Brotherhood of) Believers and Muhájirs: nevertheless do ye what is just to your closest friends: such is
    the writing in the Book (of Allah).

    [ Rejecting ties of lineage is a sign of unbelief]

    9.8 How (can there be such a covenant), seeing that if they get an advantage over you, they respect not in you the ties either of kinship or of covenant? With (fair words from) their mouths they please you, but their hearts are averse from you; and most of them are rebellious and wicked.

    [ The ONLY time where the marriage bond is not to be respected]

    60.10 O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful
    (husbands) for them. But pay the Unbelievers what they have spent (on their dower), and there will be no blame on you if ye marry them on payment of their dower to them. But hold not to the ties (marriage contract) of unbelieving women: ask for what ye have spent on their dowers, and let the
    (Unbelievers) ask for what they have spent (on the dowers of women who come over to you). Such is the command of Allah. He judges (with justice) between you. And Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

    [Judge by what Allah has Given Us]

    8.29 O ye who believe! if ye fear Allah, He will grant you a Criterion (to
    judge between right and wrong), remove from you (all) evil deeds , and
    forgive you: for Allah is the Lord of Grace unbounded.

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