Islamic Fiqh > Marriage and family > Polygamy: authorization, conditions and limits
Up to 4 wives: the authorization verse, the justice condition, the divine impossibility of perfect justice and the rules of life between wives.
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Updated on 06 October 2026 at 10:50 PM
The Law allows a man up to 4 wives and forbids going beyond. Ibn al-Qayyim sees in this one of the marks of the Law's perfection: the number is capped so that justice remains possible, and the revocable divorce leaves the door open for a wife who fears separation. The permission belongs to the man only: a woman cannot be married to more than one husband at a time, by the scholars' agreement. Ibn al-Qayyim explains this wisdom: if a woman had several husbands, lineages would be lost and homes would sink into conflict.
Muslim jurists agree: a man with several wives must divide his nights equitably among them, virgins or previously married, older or newer, by virtue of the verse: "Live with them in kindness" (an-Nisa 19).
Whoever has 2 wives and inclines toward one of them will come on the Day of resurrection with one side of his body leaning.
Abu Dawud 2133 ; Ibn Majah 1969 ; Ahmad 8549, 10092 ; Ibn Hibban 4207
The night is the unit of the division: at minimum one full night each; the day follows the night. The best model is night by night, as the Prophet practiced; if all agree on a longer period, it is lawful. A sick husband may ask his wives to let him stay with one of them, as the Prophet asked during his illness: "I can no longer go around among you; do you permit me to stay with Aisha? (Abu Dawud 2137 ; Ahmad 25883).
While traveling, he chooses to take all his wives or to pick one.
Polygamy is a framed permission, not a race to marry: a ceiling of 4, an equitable rotation of nights, maintenance secured for each. Whoever fears he cannot be fair keeps to one wife, as the verse suggests.
No: a framed authorization (up to 4 wives), never an obligation nor automatic right.
Not required by the text; her motivated opposition indexes justice to examine; several countries require prior judicial authorization.
No: the fifth marriage is void or obliges divorcing a wife per the schools (sura an-Nisa 3).
Measurable equity: equal nights, equal nafqa, proper housing for each; the heart's inclination is not judged (sura an-Nisa 129).