Does Islam Look bad in Polygamy?

Bismillah irrahman irrahim

Assalamu alaikum

Hi angela, The laws of the land should be followed as long as you are not compromising on the divine laws. And i dont think practising polygamy is an issue on which you should break the laws of your land. I think you are right that if some1 believes that because it is allowed by our Lord so state should not stand against it, they should make it known in a legal manner.

There are always loopholes in every legal system though. My friend's dad has two wives and they are both registered marriages. I am not sure about all the details but a case was filed that there is religious freedom in UK and islam allows polygamy so the second marriage is legal. I think they have some sort of clause which says that in case of seperation they wont be able to use laws of land but would have to refer to religious laws. All i know is that there are ways and it dont have to be illegal.

wassalam

While Polygamy itself is not wrong and has many benefits.  What about obeying the laws of the land?  I think that's pretty much the argument about Polygamy making Islam look bad.  Its not Polygamy in countries where its legal.  Its Polygamy in countries where it is not.

I really have no issue with polygamy in general.  However, while the law remains such.  If you live in an area where Polygamy is illegal, you need to understand that participating in the practice is breaking the law.

If a man truly wants/needs a second wife.  Perhaps he needs to look into two LEGAL ways of doing it.  First off is to challenge the law based on it unconstitutional nature.  Second, move to a country where it is legal.

The objection that was voiced on the other thread was more about breaking the law than polygamy itself.  When you become a US citizen, you pledge to follow the laws of the country.  You swear before God.  Do you get to ignore one oath because you feel the need to take a second wife? 

If you were born here, as a citizen you still have the same obligation to follow the laws.  You either change them or obey them.  If you don't, you must be prepared to face the consequences.  Its Civic Responsibility at that point, not religious choice.

For the religious choice, you must do your Civic Duty and challenge the law you see as unjust.  You don't just get to break it.

Bismillah irrahman irrahim

Assalamu alaikum

Sister rookaiya what i was saying in first post was that us muslim have made this a habbit that things we dont understand or dont want to follow we discard them saying they are not necessary, or it dont apply no more and things like that.

About women not needing or thinking about another man is in case of a blissfull marriage. I was reading this research on psychology of men and women and it stated that for a women her first emotional and physical relation stays with her forever. While a man can actually love two women at the same time . If we look at islamic setting then when a girl gets married that is her first relation and so she would cherish it for rest of her life if he treats her good and keeps her happy. So there is almost no chance of her being interested in another person. On the other hand a guy could be really happy in his life and still could develop feelings for some1. Our sheikh explained it beautifully that when we say this we are not putting blame on the men, its just maybe all this guy knows is good character of this women and in his heart he thinks mashaAllah she is good, it would be good to have such lady as a wife. So its best that he gives his feelings halal form and gets married to her. It is allowed because thats the way Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala made nature of man. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala alone knows His hikmah but maybe this nature of man was needed as some times circumstances do come that they have to take a second wife. NO OFFENCE TO BROTHERS

Hopefully this time it makes sense

wassalam

im surah Ar Rahman, it states that " and everyday He (ALLAH SWA ) excercises universal power." all lands whether its the USA or wherever, at the end of the day, No man made law can be above Allah SWAs law. so even if the country doesnt recognise polygamy n u are considered not legally married in that country, what does it matter, cos when u die, its Allah SWAs Law that u will be held accountable for n not some ordinance or Act of Utah or South Africa

Im an attorney. But i chose not to register my marriage legally cos i was of the belief that the legal system of this land is not in keeping with Allahs Law and it was by choice that i only made Nikah. Depsite my ex hubby begging me time n time again to get the marriaeg registered, i refused becos to me, the Nikah is binding and that was sufficient. but thats just me

i respect people who wish to have their marriages resgistred acccording to the laws of the land where they reside, becos they do this to safeguard themselves, should things go wrong.

but one cant be forced into entering into a legally binding marriage. if one is happy with Nikah, then Alhamdulilah

There was a body formed in 2000 in South Africa for the recognition of Muslim Personal Law. but this hasnt materialilsed yet. we had speakers from Islamic contries advsing us on Sharia Law and how its implemented in their courts

Even when it comes to the children, here in South Africa, children do inherit form their biological father. he need not be married to the mother in order for this to happen. Even children where parenst are not married  legally, can have their fathers last name, and  their fathers name is added to their birth Certificate, so should the father die, and there is no will,  these children will have equal rights to his estate, same like his kids from the legal marriage

its only the second wife who will not inherit from her hubby unless he makes a will n shes in it

so things are not so bad in South Africa. even if the breadwinner dies in a motor accident n theres a claim for loss of support, all his children, whether from a legal marriaeg or not will share in the claim, equally.

these kids are no longer known as illegitimate as was the case before. they are called extra marital children n they have equal rights with other children of the man in question.  Insha Allah more refroms will be made, and in time, even the second , third n fourth wives will get due recognition