|
Under Islamic marital jurisprudence, Muslim men are allowed to practice polygyny, that is, they can have more than one wife at the same time, up to a total of four. Polyandry, the practice of a woman having more than one husband, by contrast, is not permitted. Some scholars say the polygamy verse in the Quran is no longer valid.〔http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_151_200/quranic_views_on_polygamy.htm〕 Polygyny for Muslims, in practice and in law, differs greatly throughout the Islamic world, where polygynous marriages constitute 1–3% of all marriages. In some Muslim countries, polygyny is relatively common, while in others, it is rare or non-existent. Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia and Turkey, for example, are predominantly Muslim countries that have not adopted Islamic law for marital regulations, where polygyny is not legal. ==Scriptural basis for polygyny== The verse most commonly referred to with the topic of polygyny is Verse 3 of Surah 4 (An-Nisa ()). A translation by Yusuf Ali is shown below: At first glance, this can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on one’s agenda. However, it is important to understand the verse in context of both the Qur'an as well as the historical context when it was revealed. These Verses were revealed after the Battle of Uhud, in which many Muslim men were killed, leaving widows and orphans. Thus, many argue that these Verses have been revealed “because of God’s concern for the welfare of women and orphans who were left without husbands and fathers who died fighting for the Prophet and for Islam. It is a verse about compassion towards women and their children; it is not about men or their sexuality.” 〔"Polygamy in Context." Common Grounds News Services. Alia Hogben. 02-Mar-2010. In the Hadith collection compiled by al-Bukhari, the historical context of Verse 4:3 is further explained when ‘Ursa narrates The Qur’anic context can be explained by Surah 4:2, which states "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." Therefore, the first part of verse 4:3 is dealing with orphan women who are under the protection of a male guardian, and it is advising the guardian to “deal justly” with the orphans. In the second part of Verse 4:3, the Qu’ran states “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.”〔 If a man cannot deal justly with more than one wife, then he must marry only one. This sentiment of dealing justly is brought up again in Verse 4:129, where the Qur'an challenges ones ability to deal justly between women: “Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire. From these Verses it is clear that these quotes were indeed revealed out of compassion towards women, and not as a means to please male sexuality, which is a common modern interpretation of such verses.〔http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1885&CATE=10〕 Putting the verses regarding polygyny into the broader Qur’anic context by examining the nature of marriage in Islam helps understanding them. The Quran (“And how could ye take it when ye have gone in unto each other, and they have Taken from you a solemn covenant?” ) refers to marriage as a mithaq, i.e. a solemn covenant or agreement between husband and wife, and enjoins that it be put down in writing (4:21). Marriage is more than just a “solemn covenant” however, with Surah 30 verse 21 stating “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." Love and mercy are very much a part of marriage as described in the Qur'an. Although the Qur'an may prescribe different roles for males (husbands often seen as the provider), the equality between husband and wife is promoted when it is dictated in Surah 2 verse 187 that "They (your wives) are as a garment to you, and you are as a garment to them." It is thus clear that there is more to polygyny in the scriptural basis of the Qur'an then simply the citation of Verse 4:3. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Polygyny in Islam」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|