Monogamy

MONOGAMY. Although polygamy is sanctioned in the Qur’an, the words, and if ye fear that ye cannot be equitable, then only one” (Surah iv. 3), would seem to imply a leaning to monogamy, as the safest and most discreet form of metrimony. The author of the Akhlaq-i-Jalali says: “Excepting, indeed, in the case of kings, who marry to multiply offspring, and towards whom the wife has no alternative but obedience, plurality of wives is not defensible. Even in their case it were better to be cautious; for husband and wife are like heart and body, and like as one heart cannot supply life to two bodies, one man can hardly provide for the management of two homes.” (Thompson’s English Translation, p. 266.)

Based on Hughes, Dictionary of Islam