๐ Which is better overall? Polygyny or monogamy? For a woman to be her husband's only wife? Or for her to courageously love her husband together with another woman (or other ladies) whom he married lawfully?
A rose by itself smells delightful, but bring four roses together to form a bouquet or nicely place them in an ornamental vase, and the scent they emit would be stronger and more sublime. Nonetheless refrain from buying more roses if you're allergic to flowers and frequent exposure to their scent can cause your health to decline.
A flashlight can be helpful if you're walking around a forest at night, but there's more guarantee that you can survive longer and it'd be easier to find your way around the dark if you carry four flashlights. Make sure you don't forget their batteries and each battery isn't expired.
A cup of coffee or tea is satisfactory with a small packet or cube of sugar, but if you have a sweet tooth, your drink would be more enjoyable when you increase the sweetness. It could be a problem though if you currently suffer from UTI or diabetes.
A carriage or wagon which is being pulled by one healthy horse isn't as fast and efficient as carriages being dragged by four strong horses, just as a tiny gift box or note with a loving message would soar into the skies much faster and higher if it is tied to four balloons rather than a single balloon of the same size. A candle on its own can provide minimal light to a room, but if you have four candles, each one to be placed in a corner, you'd be able to see your surroundings better. Avoid neglecting the candles so they don't set your curtains or wooden furniture on fire.
✅ Polygyny is better than monogamy and becomes a blessing if:
1] Polygyny works as a catalyst in strengthening the faith/Imaan, patience, and sense of responsibility of the husband and his wives.
2] Through polygyny the man is capable of making good use of his additional wealth in earning more rewards by taking care of a widow and her child/kids or divorcee who finds it difficult to search for a pious spouse.
3] The polygynous marriage can inspire harmony among Muslim communities and play a role in defeating racism or tribalistic tendencies when the man is gratefully married to wives from different regions or countries, while their multiracial children are all at peace with one another.
❎ Polygyny is not advisable and can become a trial:
1] If it causes the faith/Imaan of a Muslim and any of his wives to weaken.
2] If it makes the man behave in a way that is unjust, neglectful, and irresponsible to all or any of his wives.
3] If the husband still has loads of debts to be paid and it is obvious that he is financially struggling or emotionally unstable.
Before a man wishes to have a second, third, and fourth wife, it is recommended that he prays two Sunnah Rak'ahs of Salat Al-Istikhaara then measure the pros and cons of managing a large family so he doesn't struggle with regret in the future.
Alhamdulillah, even though my late mother (Allah yarhamha. Ameen.) frequently advised my late father (Allah yarhamhu. Ameen.) to have a second wife, he openly rejected the idea of remarrying, and instead remained contented with having her as his only beloved wife in this temporary dunya.
Not all women are tough enough to accept polygyny. Not all men act as "womanizers" who wish to take advantage of the permissibility of polygyny in Islam.
Polygyny isn't obligatory. What's mandatory upon the man is to try his very best to love his wives for Allah's sake with as much wisdom, justice, and fairness as he can.
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๐ Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of you are the best in behavior to their women."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1162
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to At-Tirmidhi
๐ Abdullah Ibn Amr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The world is enjoyment and the best enjoyment in the world is a righteous wife."
Source: Sahih Muslim 1467
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
๐ Note: Reminder to recite Surah Al-Kahf every Jumuah Friday and include the Muslim Ummah in your Du'a
