second episode

the prophet’s uniqueness in the matter of marriage

although marriage is an integral part of allah’s ordinances for his worshippers and one of the traditions of his prophet (pbuh), the prophet (pbuh) is unique in this matter: he married more than four wives at the same time.

allah says in the noble qur’an what can be translated as: “if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.” (4:3)

however, the prophet (pbuh) had eleven wives while he ordered his companions who embraced islam while married to more than four to choose only four and divorce the others. it is reported that the prophet (pbuh) told a man from the tribe of thaqeif when he embraced islam to keep only four of his ten wives.

this uniqueness is among allah’s graces for his prophet (pbuh). it suits his lofty status and his bodily strength that made him able to deliver the rights of his wives completely. imam al-bukhari narrated that the prophet (pbuh) used to have sexual relation with his eleven wives in one day and that he had the power of thirty men in doing this.

the prophet (pbuh) devoted this ability and these marriages in achieving lofty goals and acquiring prestigious benefits for the muslim ummah and humankind in general, both in this life and in the afterlife.

it is strange that most of those who argue about this issue from among christians and jews know for sure that the number of prophet muhammad’ s (pbuh) wives is nothing compared to the other prophets who came before him who used to marry in hundreds. this is a fact that is mentioned in many places in the scriptures so far.

we should consider marriage as being a divine order that should be followed to gain the allah’ s reward and avoid his punishment. he who created death and life, that he may try which of you is best in deed: and he is the exalted in might, oft-forgiving;-“ (67:2) having more than one wife is better than what many leaders and presidents commit of homosexual acts and adultery. legal marriage is for sure better than affairs.