Polygyny in Islam

Traditional Sunni and Shia Islamic marital jurisprudence allows Muslim men to be married to multiple women (a practice known as polygyny) -- up to four wives at a time under Islamic law -- with the stipulation that if the man fears he's unable to treat more wives in a fair manner he "marry only one". Marriage by a woman to multiple husbands (polyandry) is not allowed.

Contemporary views on the practice vary. Some think it is no longer socially useful and should be banned (Rasha Dewedar). Some hold that it should be allowed only in cases of necessity (Muḥammad ʿAbduh). One school (Shaafi’i School of jurisprudence) has ruled it makruh, that is, Islamically allowed but discouraged. Still others feel it is part of the Islamic marriage system and that denying it is tantamount to denying "the wisdom of divine decree" (Bilal Philips and Jamila Jones).