By Dr. Lutf ur Rehman, Nashville, TN, USA
Almost thirty years ago, I was a young man who had recently arrived in Ireland from Pakistan. Ireland was a deeply religious country, mostly Catholic. Back then it was not a politically active country on the international stage. The wars in the Middle East had just started. America had attacked Iraq. Islam was coming into focus for the Westerners.
The Irish are very friendly and happy people. Working in the hospital, the most common question I faced was “Can you marry four women?” I was young and naive with little knowledge of my own religion. According to my limited understanding the answer to this question was an emphatic yes. When I asked the “religious scholars,” they also defended polygamy vigorously. Of course some of them who could perceive the irony hidden in this question tried to recount the benefits and virtues of polygamy. None was willing to place any limitations on it. What if the woman was chronically sick? What if she was unable to bear children? What if there were more women in the society than men such as in times of war? I also memorized these benefits and defended polygamy without any restrictions. But deep down my soul could not accept these explanations. If a wife is chronically sick, should the husband abandon her and go enjoy with a new wife? If she could not bear children for him, instead of getting treatment should he marry another woman? What about adoption? I was not content with these explanations. “Religious scholars” could not answer such questions intelligently. They just parroted what they had learned in the “madrassa.” There was no intellectual depth in their explanations. There was not even recognition from them that polygamy was a disaster for the first wife.
I understood then that religion cannot be learned from these “religious scholars.” At the same time I could not accept that the religion of Islam has no good explanation for polygamy or that it sought oppression of women.
Now many years later with much study and discussion with “non-religious” but sharp and smart Muslims, I have a much better understanding of this issue as well as many others facing the religion of Islam today.
In the present day, Islam is under attack at two fronts. One is the issue of Violent Jihad. I don’t mean the fight in the Middle East as that is mostly a geo-political issue and has nothing to do with Islam. I mean the extreme intolerance of different views among the Muslims. Muslims are killing other Muslims just for a difference in the interpretation of religion. Their sensitivities are extreme. They are easily provoked by inconsequential issues. They are quick in declaring other Muslims as infidels and an enemy of Islam and are willing to kill unarmed civilians, women and children. They have created many idols such as their religious leaders and many revered figures from the past. Any perceived insult of these idols can result in a violent attack on the perpetrator. This extreme ideology is being promoted by the leaders of the religion for their personal benefits.
The other front is the teachings of the religion of Islam most commonly the women issues, family law and criminal law. Polygamy is one such issue.
Polygamy is when a man has more than one wife at the same time.
No woman could agree with polygamy. No wife would like to share her husband with another woman. Yet when it happens, against the wishes of the first wife, many of them would accept this less than perfect arrangement and prefer this over getting a divorce. The reasons of this acceptance could be many but following few are the most common.
1. Financial dependence of woman on her husband, due to lack of education, vocational skills and permission or opportunity to work.
2. Societal and family pressure to maintain the marriage no matter what.
3. Religious indoctrination and flawed explanation of the scriptures.
But as God predicted in the Holy Quran, women issues are gaining more importance. Many religions and countries are addressing them. In most Western countries polygamy is against the law. Almost all major religions have renounced polygamy despite no prohibition in their scriptures. Islam is the only religion which allows and in some instances promotes polygamy. This statement may be shocking to some Muslims, but is a fact. What Islam says about polygamy is very different from what the Muslims believe it to be.
There is permission in the Holy Quran for polygamy, but with restrictions and limitations.
The verse of the Holy Quran which grants permission for polygamy is in the context of the orphans. This is the translation of it:
And give to the orphans their wealth. And do not take filth in exchange of what is pure. And do not embezzle their wealth by mixing it with yours. This is indeed a great sin.
And if you fear that you will not be just in the matter of the orphans then marry the women which you like, two three or four. But if you fear that you will not be equitable between them, then marry only one, or those whom your right hands possess. This is the least you could do to avoid injustice. (Ch. 4, Verse 3 & 4)
It is clear from this verse that the permission of polygamy is in the context of orphans. This is not a general permission. It means that if you were the guardian of orphan girls you may wish to marry one of them. Since they are orphans and you are the guardian, you may be unjust to them by not giving them their bridal gift (mehr). In that case you should marry other women who have societal support and you will have to deal with them justly. Even in this context the permission is restricted and comes with instructions. Marry only four at the most. It should be proper marriage with all the legal rights of marriage. There should be equity between the wives. Do not bend on the side of one and leave the others hanging. (Ch. 4, Verse 130) And most of all the purpose of this permission is so the man does not commit sin. There are women under his supervision and the situation is ripe for sin.
A widespread interpretation of this verse, attributed to the Prophet’s wife Ayesha is that it concerns orphan girls who were vulnerable to abuse by their male guardians. Since an orphan girl’s guardian was often also her wakil (advocate) – the male guardian was legally able to give her in marriage – he might seek to marry her to himself or others without her consent, seek to marry her himself for a discounted bridal gift (mehr), or refuse to marry her to anyone in order to keep her wealth for himself while mistreating her. The verse instructs men who might be tempted toward these abusive practices to marry women not in their custody and thus not vulnerable to these abuses. (Jami al biyan an ta wilay al Quran by Muhammad ibn Jarir al Tabari, Tafsir al Quran al-Azim by Imad al DinAbul Fida Ismail ibn Umar ibn Kathir)
This is the only verse of the Holy Quran which permits polygamy. There is no other place in the entire book where polygamy is permitted. As with all permissions there has to be conditions and restrictions. Just as an example, when the speed limit is 40 miles an hour and the sign is posted on the road, it does not mean that everyone has to drive at this speed. The circumstances of the traffic will determine the speed and we can still be stopped by the police and charged with reckless driving even when we are driving under the speed limit. So the context and circumstances are important when a permission is being used. We also see that this disclaimer is not posted with every road sign. But somewhere in the law it is mentioned and people know it. Even when they claim ignorance this is not a legal defense. Same is true of all permission in the religion. They are only permissions and can be used only when the right circumstances exist. Otherwise they will be considered illegal and their use can bring investigation and punishment. This is also an accepted principal of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqah). Wudu is necessary only when it is time for prayers. Otherwise it is not required.
Talking about polygamy the Promised Messiah (as) said:
About polygamy it is clear words of two, three or four in the Holy Quran. But in the same verse equity is also mandated. If equity is not possible or love goes only in one direction, or the resources are limited or he is impotent then one should not marry more than one wife. In my view it is best that one should not do this, because God says in the Holy Quran, “He does not like those who cross the limits” (Ch. 2: Verse 191). (Malfuzat Vol 1, page 154)
At another place he says:
The Law of God should never be used against its intent. Nor should it be made an excuse for the carnal desires. This would be a sin. God says this again and again that you should not be overcome with canal desires. In every matter righteousness should be your goal. If polygamy is practiced for carnal desires by making sharia an excuse, the only result would be that the other nations will raise objections that Muslims have nothing else to do except polygamy. Fornication is not the only sin. Getting overwhelmed with carnal desires is sin. Influence of this world should be minimal in one’s life, so you can be a reflection of the verse, “Laugh less and weep more” (Ch. 9, Verse 82) One who has too much indulgence in this world and he is busy in his wives day and night, when would he be weeping? Most people are such that they follow one view and do everything for it but fall away from the real purpose of God. Even when God has granted permission for certain things it does not mean that the entire life is spent doing them. God says in praise of his servants that they spend all night prostrating and standing before Him. (Ch. 25, Verse 65) Now look at the person who is busy in his wives day and night. He is only creating associates with God. (Malfuzat Vol. 4 page 50-51)
In the context of polygamy this is clearly illustrated by the writings of the first Ahmadi preacher in the USA, Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq. He writes in “Muslim Sunrise” in July of 1921:
I have not come here to teach plurality of wives. If a Muslim will ever preach or practice polygamy in America he will be committing a sin against his religion. This was my reply to the immigration officer’s first question put to me when I reached the American shore. In the religion of Islam there are some commandments and some permissions. I must always follow the commandments, but the permissions can be avoided. For example, Islam commands that we must worship One God and permits that I may eat beef. No government can make me worship more than One God. But if I go to a country where the government does not allow cow-killing and beef-eating (as in some parts of India), there, I as a Muslim will never eat beef. ….. For another example, Islam commands that I must obey the Law of the government under which I live. And polygamy, even if allowed with all its limitations and conditions, falls under the category of permissions and not commandments. And that permission is taken away under the commandment that I must obey the law of the ruling government of the country. If a Muhammadan in Europe or America marries more than one wife he violates not only the law of his country, but also a great commandment of his Faith. Thus the religion of Islam PROHIBITS polygamy for the Muhammadans in Europe and America. No Muslim can ever think of plurality of wives here. His religion does not allow it. (Muslim Sunrise, July 1921)
Permissions of the Holy Quran apply only when a need or circumstances exist. Use of these permissions without need or justification is a sin. One example is Jihad (War to protect the core religious rights. It does not include political wars). The concept of Jihad is so important in Islam that “Qital” is mentioned in the Holy Quran more often than “Salat!” But in the current day nearly every Muslim would agree that “Qital” (violent jihad) is not applicable. (because everyone is free to practice their religion) If circumstances changed surely it will come into action again, but not under the current circumstances. We are also aware that the permission of jihad has many limitations and rules that come with it. (Migration before jihad. God’s land is vast) Even when jihad becomes necessary, there are rules and regulations. In exactly the same way in the present day, the need for polygamy does not exist. Orphans are not under the control of individuals. There are governmental institutions taking care of them. Moreover regulations and rules must be followed to make sure that women are not being abused. These could include an assessment of mental status of a man to determine if he needs psychological counselling or to identify physical defects such as impotence, etc. Medical assessment of infertility should also be performed in relevant cases. Stigma against adoption should be addressed by campaigns of public education during Friday sermons. The financial ability of the man should also be evaluated. After all if a permission is granted to proceed with polygamy, the relationship should be constantly monitored to make sure that the man is following the intent and word of the Holy Quran perfectly.
It is clear that the religion of Islam has been used extensively to usurp the rights of women over the centuries. The dire situation of women in Muslim countries is a testament to this tragedy. Women are forced to follow the desires of men on the pretext of their religion. It is time according to the prophecy of the Holy Quran to address this injustice and set it right.
I won’t decide for anybody. My daughter will decide for herself. I know her opinion. She considers polygamist a sexual pervert.
Would your daughter like to be second, third or fourth wife of a guy who has bout of increased testosterone?
Ask from both of your wives. Your description tells that they also hate it. They hate it so much that they do not like to even share their property .
Wishing peace for all.
I think politeness is described as an attribute of the believers. I need to insist that if we cannot follow full decorum then we will need to close the discussion in this thread.
Peace and love
Are you referring to me, Rafiq? My daughter is an intelligent and educated person, and makes her own decisions. But it is obvious that you and I have different opinions on this matter, and we have made our points, so would suggest that we agree to disagree in this instance. Peace!
Zia H Shah – Apologies that this debate has sometimes crossed boundaries. But that can happen when people have different opinions. Despite that, we have not achieved a satisfactory conclusion on the subject. Regards.
Polygamy, even if allowed with all its limitations and conditions, falls under the category of permissions and not commandments. And that permission is taken away under the commandment that I must obey the law of the ruling government of the country. If a Muhammadan in Europe or America marries more than one wife he violates not only the law of his country, but also a great commandment of his Faith. Thus the religion of Islam PROHIBITS polygamy for the Muhammadans in Europe and America. No Muslim can ever think of plurality of wives here. His religion does not allow it. (Muslim Sunrise, July 1921)
Polygamy is not only crime, it is exploitation of a woman, a sin.
permissions not commandments: Yes, of course, agree.
law of the country: I thought I have explained. If we do not seek registration than it falls under ‘consenting adults living together’ which is not prohibited.
OK, you have a different interpretation or understanding. Let’s agree to disagree.
sin or not sin: let’s leave that up to Allah.
Brother Rasiq wrote, “If we do not seek registration then it falls under ‘consenting adults living together’ which is not prohibited”.
Yes of course these predators are used to these tactics but Islam teaches us قُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا .
If a polygamist continues these back door tactics, the wife will be deprived of all the legal rights granted to her for her protection. This will be possible, if a wife is suffering from stockholm syndrome.
In Islam adults (boy and girl) simply do not live together.If polygamist started exploitation of women through this back channel, it will be a sad situation for a girl who will have no legal rights to settle her disputes,no right in common property, joint accounts, next of kin,retirement benefits, social security benefits, healthcare benefits, tax benefits and participation in healthy social events etc.
She will be living like a slave hiding from the law, which is there to protect her.Anyhow a man suffering from hypersexuaity either belongs in the hospital or in jail.
Love and peace for all.
Yes, the polygamous husband has to make arrangements to balance the lack of governmental pension for instance. See how I am doing this: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18378615?location=Mangsit%2C%20Senggigi%2C%20West%20Lombok%20Regency%2C%20West%20Nusa%20Tenggara%2C%20Indonesia&guests=1&adults=1&infants=0&children=0
You just do not get it. ‘hiding from the law’? An example. When I lived in Jordan both of my wives had residence permits as ‘wife of Mr. Tschannen’. The Swiss Embassy saw this and just shrugged it off, saying ‘yes, the Jordanians can say that, but unfortunately we can only enter one as a wife’. The second one got Swiss visas / Schengen visas free of charge as ‘mother of Swiss children’. Not hiding away at all actually, but respected as much as the law allows.
Dear friends monogamy and polygamy and the East and the West are not black and white issues. Chastity and lewdness and women rights and segregation of sexes and so many other issues are at stake here.
Let us try to be polite and not to try to portray that worst thing that happened to humanity is polygamy. I can think of a few other things, war, famine, slavery, rape are all too rampant and on and on.
A friendly reminder that it is predicted that soon almost every one in the West will have HPV infection, which is an STD. Please also read the fall of the West in the news that came out yesterday:
Bush 41 apologizes for groping of 16-year-old girl
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bush-41-apologizes-for-groping-of-16-year-old-girl/ar-BBEV0mu?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp
Just chill and live and let live.
To all friendly discussers:
If we still have differences among us, let us go back to Holy Book to seek the truth and to make life better for all humanity. God say: Only Allah Know the Truth, I sent all prophets with books as the true guidance for mankind.
I urge all who join discussion please base on Holy books.
Hopefully God will bless us all with love, truth, peace and solve the problem.
All ❤️
I am sorry but we will not allow any name calling in the comment section.
Using the word sexual pervert for anyone who has more than one wives just does not make any sense and is really hitting below the belt.
Please use your words carefully or I may be forced to delete comments or close the discussion in this thread.
I hope it does not come to that and we can all behave like sensible adults.
Thanks
I really appreciate the multiple viewpoints that this issue is looked at from.
Remember!
Islam teaching never allow to hurt others ( wife and children)
“if you fear that you will not be just, then marry only one. Quran 4:4
Quran is the only holy scripture that says marry only one. Quran mandates condition of 100% justice.
Quran does not mandate polygamy. It is painful for a women even to imagine it.
Polygamy is the ancient Islamic law, the time of slavery.
Those Muslim who practice polygamy will destroy happiness of his children and wife. He is a children destroyer. No children like their father have another wife.
Hopefully Ahmadiyyah do not urge male to do polygamy.
Polygamy is not relevant anymore, 21st century.
❤️
How about Gulf Countries which still practice it ???Are they not in 21st century?
Brother you you are right.
Polygamy is an outdated concept, its sole purpose was to protect orphans and widows during war and famine. The Western developed world has no room for a concept of marriage that destroy women emotionally, and place financial burden upon men.
Life is more complicated than that. If monogamy is so perfect, why do we have divorce rates of 30, 40, 50 % …
Dear Rafiq, I understand your point, however the model of polygamy was been met with greater failure statistically opposed to monogamy. Polygamy does not fix the cracks of monogamy.
Can a woman under the same set of guidance, restriction , permissions & commandments have 2, 3 or 4 husbands.
why look for commandments and guidance if its an issue with wanting to exercise a choice? Following quranic law is not compulsory, only voluntary. If that guidance does not exist it does not according to divine wisdom. One can challenge divine wisdom, not agree with it and exercise human choice at any time. It would also be good to know if there are existing examples of such an arrangement currently. If not, than good to look for why not?
Agree,
But since this article was somehow trying to make sense of senseless polygamy for men under the quranic jurisprudence, it prompted me to ask ” does it give same set of rights to women also”.
The Quran does permit Polygyny under special circumstances so calling it senseless will be going a bit too far. Most Prophet of God have practiced it. There is plenty of literature that i have referred to in my earlier comments coming from Ahmadiyya Khalifas and Promised Messiah to elaborate in favor of it.
Apart from that purely from a human rights perspective, when three consenting adults agree to a living arrangement, it is no body’s business to object to it. Its immaterial whether this involves two men-one women or two women and one man. The fact is that most religions permit polygynous i.e. one man and more than one women arrangement. If people have objections to why religions have done that they should talk to God and find out for themselves or leave such religions and do whatever makes them happy.
Those of us who favor polygyny can find good moral and religious reasons. If some people like polyandrous arrangements or other arrangements let them come forward with their moral and religious reasons and reference to scriptures. In the end all one must do is to make peace with the maker – that is an individual choice to be freely exercised and is no one’s else’s business.
You have erased my comments again.
But how will you erase this part of the article:
In the context of polygamy, this is clearly illustrated by the writings of the first Ahmadi preacher in the USA, Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq. He writes in “Muslim Sunrise” in July of 1921:
I have not come here to teach the plurality of wives. If a Muslim will ever preach or practice polygamy in America he will be committing a sin against his religion. This was my reply to the immigration officer’s first question put to me when I reached the American shore…
Islam commands that I must obey the Law of the government under which I live. I must obey the law of the ruling government of the country.
If a Muhammadan in Europe or America marries more than one wife he violates not only the law of his country but also a great commandment of his Faith. Thus the religion of Islam PROHIBITS polygamy for the Muhammadans in Europe and America.
The religion of Islam PROHIBITS polygamy for the Muhammadans in Europe and America.
No Muslim can ever think of the plurality of wives here. His religion does not allow it. (Muslim Sunrise, July 1921)
I have explained this before. Yes, one cannot REGISTER more than one marriage in Western Countries. One would have to lie saying that this is the first wife. And lying is of course prohibited. There used to be a law called ‘prohibition of concubinage’, which did not permit unmarried or ‘unregistered married’ to live together. As the majority of persons now live together without an registered marriage this law was cancelled. In other words any one who wants to live together in a un-registered relationship can do so. Is that so difficult to understand. Yes, if one wife has a registered marriage and the other one has an unregistered religious marriage then the husband has to make arrangements to balance the benefits. (But you do not want to understand)
Again: in 1921 I think there was the law of ‘prohibition of concubinage’ (meaning it was not permissible to live together without being married). Anyway, this law was on the books in Switzerland (and probably in USA too). My uncle had divorced his wife (in Switzerland), but after a while they felt lonely and moved together again. One day a Police Man knocked on the door and said, ‘sorry, I am a bit embarrassed, but there is this law of ‘prohibition of concubinage’ still on the books and some neighbors have complained about your living arrangements. My uncle married his ex-wife again. – In other words: if you have not noticed yet: Living arrangements in USA have changed a little since 1921. Our Missionary was correct in 1921 and I am correct in 2018. Love for All ! Hatred for None!
Mr. Rafiq wrote, ” My uncle married his ex-wife again.”
Could you please tell us, How a person can marry his ex-wife. Have you heard “Halalah” Quran 2:230?
Will you please explain it? Who performed ” Halalah “?
He was a Swiss Christian. simple.
Let’s just change the rules. A man can only be with one woman at a time. Let that fact guide us to understand how many wives we may have. Equity implies that what is good for a man is good for a woman. Let women have more than one husband? Silly question. Both questions are silly. One man, one woman. The solution is so clear a child can see it. We have no need of experts to guide us. We are human. Together we can solve any problem. We have no need of Gods.
//It is clear from this verse that the permission of polygamy is in the context of orphans. // You are so Wrong here Mr. Zia. Open your eyes and stop criticizing religious scholars. You can marry any women you like, it has nothing to do with orphan. You are reading what you wish to read.
Did the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, only marry orphans? I do not think so. My interpretation is that polygamy is permitted when the reasons of marriage are not fulfilled with one wife. Yes, it is not the perfect way, but better than divorces.
Still you are wrong. Islam does not put any such condition. Even if you are happy with your wife and yet like another women, you can marry her too. Freedom for four marriage is because of MAN’s nature and to stop adultery.
Islamic teaching never allows hurting others ( wife and children).
Quran is the only holy scripture that says marry only one. Quran mandates condition of 100% justice.
Quran does not mandate polygamy. It is painful for women and children, even to imagine it.
Those who practice polygamy destroy the happiness of children and wife.
No child likes his father to have another wife.
Those who divorce destroy the happiness of children and wife too. Who is perfect?
I agree 100 percent your comment, it is cool.
❤️
Islam does allow polygamy, i.e., having more than one wife at the same time, but you should be aware that it does not encourage it. In fact, Islam is the only religion that limited this ancient and widespread practice. Previous teachings permitted unlimited and unrestricted polygamy. Islam limits the number of wives allowed to four, and also discourages the practice. Allah says:
“But if you feel you many not be able to deal justly between them, then marry only one.” (Holy Qur’an, 4:4).
Alislam.org
RIFFAT wrote: In fact, Islam is the only religion that limited this ancient and widespread practice.==
I agree with you if you really want to limit the ancient laws:
These some the ancient Islamis laws:
1. Polygamy
2. Burqa or Hijab
3. Slavery
4. Be heading, flogging and cut off hand at front of public
5. Inheritance
6. System Goverment ( Caliphate)
7. Forbidden drink alcohol and meat pork
8. Usury— Bank conventional
9. Women are forbidden to drive, sing, leader, shake hand with male, segregation of male and female
Etc
What do you think? Are you with me?
All❤️
1. Polygamy – have we not discussed this sufficiently, let’s say for a year? (until we have many new readers). All the different views have been presented.
2. Burqa or Hijab – same.
3. Slavery – do we need to go deeper into this subject? It does not happen any more and no one is asking for its reintroduction.
4. Beheading, flogging, cutting off a hand … The fact is that Saudi Arabia is at the end of the list of countries as far as thefts are concerned.
Still, that does not mean that I am in favor of ‘Saudi kind of justice’. ‘to be put in jail’ has the same effect as ‘cutting off a hand’ = the thief
cannot steal any more. Consequently, yes, this can be ‘re-discussed’.
5. Inheritance. I think I did point out that a female, getting 50 % of the inheritance of a male, is in a much better condition, if she can keep that
amount to herself while the male has to look with his share after the whole family. Still, society is changing with ‘female led households’, with
ladies working etc. so we could reconsider taking these modern trends in view. (With my half of the pension I am supposed to look after all the
families, while my wife thinks her half of the pension is only for herself, while I paid the full contribution. Do not tell me that these laws
are unfair to ladies).
6. System of Government (Caliphate). It is clear that the Ahmadiyya Caliph does not want to have anything to do with a political government. Secular
system of government (democracy) is fine. Hopefully they will adopt, by free will, Islamic that are beneficial to the society.
7. Forbidden drink alcohol and meat pork. – I think we discussed at length. Go on and have your drink and pork sausage, if you like, but we
prefer to go without that stuff.
8. Usury – bank conventional. Should we discuss more? I saw a good islamic system in place in the agriculture of the Indonesian villages for instance.
The owner of the land gives the land to some one to grow rice. He gets 50 % of the harvest. If the harvest fails he gets nothing. In conventional
banking he would get a loan to buy the rice seeds to be planted etc. If the harvest fails he still has to repay the bank loan with interest. What
is better? But, yes, not everything in today’s ‘Islamic Banking’ seems correct in accordance with Islamic approach of economics. This should
be continued to be discussd.
9. Women forbidden to drive. (Come on, stop talking about it. It was only in Saudi Arabia and in no other Muslim country). Shake hands – I wrote about
it already. Segregation of male and female – mmmm. yes, we could discuss this a bit further. It does not make all that much sense when we have
a strict segregation of males and females in Jamaat functions for instance (like for instance in a Humanity First conference) when the same
ladies are Professors and Lady Doctors and work in a non-segregated environment. But I would say it is up to the ladies how they feel comfortable.
Knowing my lady for instance she likes the situation as it is and she would feel most uncomfortable it there was a mixed congregation. So why force?
Are you with me? In any case: The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at like to follow the advice of their beloved Khalifa, in case of any differences of opinion. And then we do not need to discuss for discussion’s sake but just follow and learn and try to understand.
Somi I would like to ask you if you really are Muslim. I’m am an Ahmadiyya Muslim raised in a western country and I have two kids of my own and I don’t consider myself very conservative but your ideas are in conflict with the teachings from the Holy Quran.
1. Polygamy
I already answered this one above with reference from the Quran and I completely agree with Quran, if I was not able to bare children or for another reason my husband wanted to marry another woman, I would be OK with it as long as he would respect us the same, treat us the same and justly.
2. Burqa or Hijab
You will find that hijab is a means of protecting women, and providing them with freedom from many social ills. I love my hijab and Somi you know that it’s a part of my identity, my soul, my life. I’m incomplete without it so I don’t understand how you considered it ancient.
“Islam has undoubtedly given woman dignity and honor through hijab/purdah, and has provided a protection for her so that she can pursue her activities more freely. This gives Muslim women peace of mind. You may have noticed that most Muslim women who follow the practice of hijab/purdah appear to be more relaxed and at ease with themselves. This is because Islam has reduced the importance of physical appearance as a mark of self-esteem. A Muslim woman is free to develop in herself other talents, and does not have to rely on her physical beauty to achieve what she wants. At the same time when a woman practices hijab/purdah in the true manner, she fulfills her responsibility to society and gains satisfaction in the knowledge that she is able to gain nearness to Allah.” alislam.org
3. Slavery
I have not heard of slavery anywhere, how did u come up with this one?
4. Be heading, flogging and cut off hand at front of public
This practice was being practiced in UAE and no where else, and UAE is mostly under the influence of USA for harsher punishment as you know and those idiots don’t know much as they just barely allowed the women to drive so that tells you how much they use their brain. It’s not the religion mostly it’s their ego and the pride and the wish to be famous.
5. Inheritance
“in the United Kingdom till as late as 1882, when the first Married Women’s Property Act was passed by Parliament, a married woman could hold no property of her own, independently of her husband. Any property that a femme sole (unmarried woman) held in her own right vested automatically in her husband on her marriage. A hundred years later traces still linger in certain aspects of British Law which illustrate a married woman’s position of dependence upon her husband.” Women in Islam
In Islam the independent economic position of woman has been established since the very beginning. Mention has been made of the obligation of the husband to make a settlement on the wife, in proportion to his means, at the time of marriage. This settlement is called dower (mehr). If at the time of the death of the husband the wife’s dower should be still unpaid, it ranks as a debt to be discharged out of his estate, in priority to all his other debts. In addition, the widow is entitled to her share in the husband’s estate, which is determined by law.
And Somi did you have a problem with this???? God the west has been so behind times?
6. System Goverment ( Caliphate)
I can keep typing this is pointless, the state and church are separate as our head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community state time and again but u don’t pay attention Somi. Caliphate is to lead the community on the spiritual journey towards Allah and the betterment of themselves and to bettment of humanity.
7. Forbidden drink alcohol and meat pork
Drinking in Canada and driving is against the law, so I’m against it. U want people to drink? Alcohol is addictive it’s not like everyone is really good at controlling their behaviour once under the influence, most people are not aware how they will react one under the influence which is why it is forbidden in Islam. It is an addicting drink therefore some want more and then don’t know when to stop and end up drunk drivers or just addicted and creators of broken families and create more drunks. One or two drinks may be harmless to you since you may have self control but how can u predict that the other person will have just as much self control???
8. Usury— Bank conventional
9. Women are forbidden to drive, sing, leader, shake hand with male, segregation of male and female
From these verses (Quran 24:31&24:32)it is made clear that both men and women are to conduct themselves with modesty and propriety at all times, and especially when in each other’s presence. This teaching is based on the fact that Islam recognizes that “prevention is the better part of a cure.” So segregation of the sexes is prescribed so that situations which cannot be controlled afterwards, are not allowed to develop in the first place. In this way, erosion of moral values can be prevented, and society is safeguarded from problems such as adultery, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Thank you Riffat. Just a small correction. It is in Saudi Arabia, not UAE, where women are not allowed to drive and public executions take place. – Somi keeps repeating stuff that we have answered him already several times. Arguing for Arguing’s sake.
Rafiq — thank you for sharing your thought here.
Knowing my lady for instance she likes the situation as it is and she would feel most uncomfortable it there was a mixed congregation. So why force?
I believe that most Ahmadiyyah Women I know they are uncomfortable with muxed congragation. Because they are told that mixed segragation is unlawful or Haram in Islam.
there are some ahmadiyyah Women who do not follow the ancient Islamic law such as proffesors and Doctors, they follow progressive Faith in Islam. They have a broad knowledge than ordinary Ahmadiyysh women.
All❤️
You will be surprised that some German ladies who at first were hesitant to go to the ‘ladies’ side’ after some time in fact felt quite comfortable there. In other words: no, the ladies do not feel uncomfortable because ‘they are told this or that’, but simply because they are among themselves.
I feel Islam protect the women rights more then any other religions. As giving them equal status and with the permission of first wife you can go for second. So it is women who has a right to say yes or no!!!!
==As giving them equal status and with the permission of first wife you can go for second. So it is women who has a right to say yes or no!!!!==
This paragraph is not from holy Quran. Clerics mislead Muslim.
All ❤️
The second or any more women to come deserve the same amount of respect as the first women. The women is who should be able to say yes or no.
In the ancient Islamic law say that wife has to obey what ever her husband ask her to do—- when her husband want to have another wife, his wife does not have the right to say—NO—
Now in 21th Century, this law is invalid— because girl and boy have the same right to get a good education—has the same right to get job—wife and husband have the right to rise their kids—
The time has changed— the ancuent law should be changed too.
This us my tought
All❤️
May be you are quoting the bible: My (Christian) father used to quote: ‘Females shall be silent in public’. He used this bible verse to vote against women’s right to vote. As Christianity declined ladies got the right to vote, in violation of the bible. – When the Qur’an says we should pray ‘Oh Lord grant us knowledge’. He did not say that this refers to males only. Listening to my wife’s Lajna (Ahmadiyya Ladies Organisation) organized internet based lessons I have to admit that they are far advanced over the average males in knowledge.
These guys are Hippocrates and unethical.
If not, then they should put my comments back.
They should not erase my comments.
If there was something unethical in my comments, they should openly talk about it and let the forum decide.
The militant opponents of Polygamy ignore that the Prophet practiced it (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the second Khalifatul Masih practiced it (ra). Therefore, yes, be more ethical in your comments.
Neither our present Khalifa nor our previous Khalifa practiced polygamy.
The militant proponents of Polygamy ignore that the Today our Khalifa has refused to practice polygamy.
Polygamy is family abuse., sexual exploitation of a woman and emotional abuse of children in the family.
Yes, the Khalifas after Khalifa II (ra) did not / are not practicing polygamy. But they have given permission in several cases.
EXCUSES_EXCUSES_EXCUSES_EXCUSES
If there was an iota of goodness in polygamy today, the Khalifa would do it today.
To Dear Muhammad Ahmad
I know you are not Ahmadiyyah right
I like to ask you:
Do you agree to reform or change the ancient Islamic law that came from Al Quran and The book of Hadith?
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Taliban and Isis still implement the ancien Islamic laws.
When I asked Rafiq ( ahmafiyyah Muslim) he reject to REFORM the ancient Islamic law such as;
1. Slavery
2. Beheading, flogging and cut off hand at front of public as Saudi Arabia, Taliban and Isis did?
3. Polygamy
4. Usury
5. Burqa or hijab
6. Halal foods
7. Secular system of democracy
8. Segragation male and female,
9. Women are forbidden to sing at public, shake hand with male,
10 Muslim forbid to possess a dog
11. Etc
Please give us your thought
All ❤️
Mr Somi Tempo please stick to the topic here. You appear to be a Christian from your comments. You do not knot the ABC of Islam.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fQiNefAU0U&w=560&h=315%5D