Most commentary on gender and politics in the Middle East and Muslim world assigns a central place to Islam, but there is little agreement about the analytic weight Islam carries on the topic of women in Islam, accounting for the subordination of women or the role it plays in relation to women's rights.^[1][2][3] It is claimed by some Islamic scholars that the Qur'an maintains women's religious and moral equality.^[4][5][6] However, women in Islam are subordinate to men in their families. They receive less inheritance and their testimony is also considered half.^[5] In Islam, relations between the sexes are governed not by the principle of equality but by the principle of complementarity.^[7] Some also argue that this differentiation is discrimination according to their status and responsibilities.^[8] A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... Nations with a Muslim majority appear in green, while nations that are approximately 50% Muslim appear yellow. ... Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ...

Using the Qur'an, the hadith and the lives of prominent women in the early period of Muslim history as sources, conservatives confirmed that existing gender asymmetries are divinely ordained, while feminists discerned possibilities for a more progressive politics of gender based on the egalitarian ideals of early Islam. These exegetical exercises mainly showed that, for both feminists and anti-feminists, Islamic doctrine continued to provide the only legitimate discourse within which to debate women's rights.^[3] However, contemporary analysts have renounced treatment of Muslim women as essentialist, ahistorical and lacking in class perspectives with respect to Islamic injunctions.^[9][10][3] This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Exegesis (from the Greek ἐξηγεῖσθαι to lead out) involves an extensive and critical interpretation of a text, especially of a holy scripture, such as of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the Talmud, the Midrash, the Quran, etc. ... A symbol of Islamic feminism, incorporating the Crescent Moon and Star of Islam into the female symbol Islamic feminism is a form of feminism that aims for the full equality of all Muslims, regardless of sex or gender, in public and private life. ...

Women in Islam

Islam, both in the form of Quranic teachings and sharia has had a formative influence on the role of women and men in Muslim societies throughout the centuries.^[5] John Esposito writes with regard to women in Islam:^[5] Sharia (Arabic: transliteration: ) is the body of Islamic law. ...

The study of women in Islam and Muslim society is complex, reflecting the diverse and varied realities of Muslim women and Muslim societies throughout the ages. Alongside ideals embodied in the Qur'an and the traditions (hadith) of Muhammad, one must look at the actual condition of Muslim women in diverse time periods and sociohistorical contexts. The status of women in Islam was profoundly affected not only by the fact that Islamic belief interacted with and was informed by diverse cultures, but also, and of equal importance, that the primary intepreters of Islamic law and tradition were men (religious scholars or ulama) from those cultures. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other persons named Muhammad, see Muhammad (name). ... Ulema, a community of legal scholars of Islam and the Sharia. ...

Islamic law is the product of Quranic guidelines, as understood by Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), as well as of the interpretations derived from the traditions of Muhammad (hadith), which were also selected by a number of historical Islamic scholars. The Qur'an itself is not the sole guideline: "The Quran is not a law book; it does, however, provide principles and guidelines that were incorporated into Islamic law through selection and interpretation."^[5] Such rules were historically often eroded and subverted, claims Esposito, by social custom, poverty, illiteracy. Furthermore, whether or not Muslims tended to follow their rights, e.g. whether a man marries four wives or only one, was dependent on the prevailing culture, often different between social classes, local conditions, and regions. Quranic reforms, improving the historical position of women relative to their situation prior to Islam in many regions, have often been undermined by the reassertion of tribal customs, or the use of such under the name of Islamic law, and historical or cultural interpretations, reaffirming the male dominance and perpetuating gender inequality. Today, says Esposito, "the tensions between ideal and real world become compounded by conflicts between tradition and modernity."^[11] To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

The importance of female symbolism in Islamist movements is possibly explained by the following:^[12]

For Islamists, the primary threat of the West is cultural rather than political or economic. Cultural dependency robs one of faith and identity and thus destroys Islam and the Islamic community (umma) far more effectively than political rule. Women and the family have been identified as pivotal in this contest. (...) The hijab has become not only a sign of modesty but also the symbol for the defense of Islam, for the preservation of the family, and thus the Islamic identity of Muslim societies. Islamism is a political ideology derived from the conservative religious views of Muslim fundamentalism. ... Umma was an ancient city in Sumer. ...

Women in their nature

Yvonne Haddad and John Esposito write that in principle, except for a verse or two, the Qur'an grants women equality.^[5](pp.163) It is only in the matter of the rights and responsibilities of males and females that the notion of equal human worth comes into play, otherwise equality of believers and the relative economic independence of women (right to inherit and to keep their own property) is so intrinsic to Qur'an.^[7] Professor John Esposito John Louis Esposito (born 19 May 1940, Brooklyn, New York City) is a professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. ...

Eve, in the Qur'an, is not blamed for Adam's first mistake although they are in the Hadith. Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God; both repented and both were forgiven.^[13] It also states that males and females were both created from the same soul.^[4] These arguments are presented to show that Eve was of the same species as Adam and women are not inferior beings.^[14][15] As in Qur'an: Michelangelos The Creation of Adam, a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, shows God creating Adam, with Eve in His arm. ... Michelangelos The Creation of Adam, a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, shows God creating Adam, with Eve in His arm. ...

It used to be a practice among pre-Islamic Arabs to bury their female infants alive. The Qur'an criticized the attitude of parents who reject their female children. As in the Qur'an:

Similarly, according to a saying attributed to Muhammad:

Religious responsibilities

Men and women are considered spiritually equal as the Qur'an places men and women in immediate comparison:^[6]

Women are exempted from praying and fasting during menstruation days and pregnancy while they are required to make up for fasts after the month of Ramadan. But Islam does not ask for isolation of women in this period. As it is attributed to Muhammad:^[16] The fourth pillar of Islam, which is fasting, is practiced during the month of Ramadan. ...

Financial rights

Islam gives women the right to own, which entitles them to have personal possessions. The Qur'an also explicitly outline women's inheritance rights.

Inheritance

A Yemenese woman enveloped in Niqab dress. In general circumstances, Islam allots females half the inheritance share available to males who have the same degree of relation to the deceased.

A female can have a share less than that of a male or equal to a male's, according to her degree of relation to the kin. Islamic scholars hold that the original reason for this difference is the difference in responsibility between men and women in the societies of Arabia in the 7th century: men had to provide for their family whereas women could keep all their money themselves. They were usually taken care of by their families or their husbands, whereas men would usually finance a family and relatives. Also, men had to pay the dowry to women in marriage while women don't have to pay anything to men. ^{[17] [18]} As in Qur'an: ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (720x1092, 52 KB) Description: Muslim woman in Yemen. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (720x1092, 52 KB) Description: Muslim woman in Yemen. ...

In case of kalalah relation, which is an adjective used for a person who leaves behind neither parents nor children; it also means all the relatives of a deceased except his parents and children, and it also denotes the relationships which are not through [the deceased’s] parents or children. If kalalah relatives are not brothers and sisters, as in the case of a childless male or female, Qur'an does not discriminate between men and women.^[17] As in Qur'an:

Right to work

Woman's primary responsibility is usually interpreted as having to raise children. Some Muslims believe that if women fulfill this, they may have a career if they wish and if their husbands agree. Qur'an puts the main responsibility of earning over husband and asks wives to be obedient to their husbands. Hence, permission to work is generally considered conditional. As in Qur'an:

According to Sayyid Qutb as outlined by John Esposito, however, this passage does not imply the "quashing (of) the woman's personalty or her civic rights;rather it is an obligation to direct and protect the family." According to Qutb's analysis, the Quran "gives the man the right of 'guardianship' or 'superiority' over the family structure in order to prevent dissension and friction between the spouses. The equity of this system lies in the fact that God both favoured the man with the necessary qualities and skills for the 'guardianship' and also charged him with the duty to provide for the structure's upkeep."^[19] Sayyid Qutb Sayyid Qutb (IPA pronunciation: ) (Arabic: ‎; 9 October 1906[1] – 29 August 1966) was an Egyptian intellectual author, and Islamist associated with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. ...

Whether or not the above verse in the Quran forbids the work of women is thus disputed; this is illustrated by disagreements between Islamic schools of thought about whether women whould be able to enter specific job areas; One major disputed job area is that of the judge in a court: Shafi`ites claim that women may hold no judicial office, while Hanafites allow women to act as judges in civil cases only. These interpretation are based on the above quoted Medinese Sura 4:34.^[20] The Shāfi‘ī madhab () is one of the four schools of fiqh, or religious law, within Sunni Islam. ... // The Hanafi (Arabic حنفي) school is the oldest of the four schools of thought (Madhhabs) or jurisprudence (Fiqh) within Sunni Islam. ... This is not an article about the Muslims and their beliefs. ... Sura (sometimes spelt Surah , plural Suwar ) is an Arabic term literally meaning something enclosed or surrounded by a fence or wall. ...

Obligations

A woman, when compared with her husband, is far less burdened with any claims on her possessions. Her possessions before marriage do not transfer to her husband and she keeps her maiden name. She has no obligation to spend on her family out of such properties or out of her income after marriage. Unless she is a slave she is entitled to the Mahr which she takes from her husband at the time of marriage.^[21] A dowry is a gift of money or valuables given by the brides family to that of the groom to permit their marriage. ...

Although men appear to have more rights than women, women have some rights which men don't have, for example the right to be supported financially, and to a certain inviolability which is respected even by the most rude and warlike Bedouins.^[4] A Bedouin man resting on a hillside at Mount Sinai Bedouin, derived from the Arabic ( ‎), a generic name for a desert-dweller, is a term generally applied to Arab nomadic pastoralist groups, who are found throughout most of the desert belt extending from the Atlantic coast of the Sahara via...

Legal matters

Testimony

In case of witnesses for financial documents, the Qur'an asks for two men or one man and two women. Some argue that this command shows that Qur'an does not want to make difficulties for women.^[22] It is disputed whether the testimony of a woman is half or not.

Averroes, one of the renowned Maliki jurist of 12th century writes: Ibn Rushd, known as Averroes (1126 – December 10, 1198), was an Andalusian-Arab philosopher and physician, a master of philosophy and Islamic law, mathematics, and medicine. ... This page deals with Islamic thought. ...

Many Muslims believe that the legal value of the testimony of women is also half that of a man. Javed Ahmed Ghamidi writes that Islam asks for two women witnesses against one male because this responsibility is not very suited to their temperament and general sphere of interests and the environment they are used to. He argues that Islam makes no claim that woman's testimony is half in any case.^[23] Javed Ahmed Ghamidi (Urdu: جاوید احمد غامدی) (b. ...

Diyya

Main article: Diyya

Diyya is paid as a fine to the next of kin of somebody who was killed unintentionally (in Arabic: Diyat or Diyya دية). Islam has not prescribed any specific amount for Diyat nor has it obligated to discriminate in this matter between a man or a woman, a slave or a free man and a Muslim or a non-Muslim; however its quantity, nature and other related affairs have been left open, by the Qur’an, to the customs and traditions of a society. The law of Diyya was in force in Arabia before the advent of Islam. The Qur’an directed to pay Diyat just according to this law both in case of intentional as well as unintentional murder.^[24] Blood money is money paid as a fine to the next of kin of somebody who was killed intentionally (in Arabic: Qisas قصاص) or unintentionally (in Arabic: Diyat or Diyya ديت). Islam has not prescribed any specific amount for Diyat nor has it obligated to discriminate in this matter between a man...

Countries like Saudi Arabia, are still using the same law of Diyya, which was in force in Arabia in Muhammad's time. According to this particular law, the fine for unintentional murder of a woman is half of that of a man. For other persons named Muhammad, see Muhammad (name). ...

Punishments

While describing punishments for different crimes, the Quran does not discriminate between genders. In case of sexual crimes like fornication, a woman can be found guilty easily as she may become pregnant, while it becomes difficult for the prosecution of males, as Islam asks for four witnesses to file a case for fornication. Some scholars don't differentiate between rape and adultery while still others do; however, there is a consensus that in the former offence the victim is not prosecuted. This creates more complications as the woman cannot file a case without having four witnesses (even for rape cases). Most scholars, however, agree that rape cannot be treated as adultery and ask for harsher punishments of hiraba or disorder in the land, as mentioned in verses 5:33-34, which do not require four witnesses to register the case.^[24] The form of punishment and interpretation of Islamic law in this case is highly dependent on the respective government legislation and/or judge. Fornication is a term which refers to sexual intercourse between consenting unmarried partners. ... Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse. ...

Women as slaves

Main article: Islam and Slavery

Main article: Ma malakat aymanukum

The property of slaves is owned by the master unless the master has granted the terms of a mukataba, which allows the slave to earn money to purchase his or her freedom and similarly to pay bride wealth.^[25] The mahr that is given for marriage to a female slave is taken by her owner, whereas all other women possess it absolutely for themselves^[26] Bilal ibn Ribah, a freed black slave, calls the people to prayers as the first Muezzin. ... This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup. ...

Slavery is an institution which Islam took for granted both at the time of the Qur'an's revelation and subsequently. However it mitigates slavery by recommending kindness and the freeing of slaves as acts of great merit and declaring that their mistreatment will cause damnation.^[27] It permits sexual relations between a male master and his female slave outside of marriage referred to in the Qur'an as ma malakat aymanukum or "what your right hands possess",^[28][29] although he may not co-habit with a female slave belonging to his wife.^[30] Neither can he have relations with a female slave if she is co-owned. If the female slave has a child by her master, she then receives the title of "Umm Walad" (lit. Mother of a child), and she may no longer be sold and is deemed freed upon the death of her master. The child, by default, is born free due to the free status of the father. Although there is no limit on the number of concubines a master may possess general marital laws are to be observed - such as not having intimate relations with the sister of a female slave.^[30][31] This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup. ...

The Qur’an urges masters to favour deserving slaves by granting terms of Mukatabat i.e. a contract between a slave and his or her master according to which the former would be required to pay a certain sum of money in a specific time period or perform some specific service to achieve his or her freedom.^[15] Exegetical literature identifies slaves as mukatab when buying their own freedom.^[32] As stated in Qur'an: In Islamic law, a mukataba is a contract of manumission between a master and a slave according to which the slave is required to pay a certain sum of money during a specific time period in exchange for freedom. ...

Marriage

Main article: Islamic marital jurisprudence

No age limits have been fixed by Islam for marriage. Children of the youngest age may be married or promised for marriage, although a girl is not handed across to her husband until she is fit for marital sexual relations.^[33] It is related that Muhammed himself married Aisha, six years of age at the time^[34] commenced sexual relations with her when she was nine years of age^[35]. Unlike the wedding ring in Western societies, there is no visible sign worn to show a woman is a wife. Marriage in Islam is considered to be of the utmost importance. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Under Hanafi fiqh, the wali(male guardian of an unmarried woman) may give in marriage a girl who is a virgin and also a minor, after informing her that her suitor has presented himself, even if he (the suitor) is a slave. Her silence is taken as consent, but even if she says that she does not consent, the marriage is still lawful.^[36][37] Hanafi fiqh also strictly requires in such a case that the wali should be the bride's father, or else her son or other relative in the descendant line, if she has one; if not, then some other male relative may act.^[38] // The Hanafi (Arabic حنفي) school is the oldest of the four schools of thought (Madhhabs) or jurisprudence (Fiqh) within Sunni Islam. ...

In other circumstances, marriage is an open declaration of a contract by a man and a woman to live as husband and wife. It is declared in the presence of people through a responsible personality with great solemnity and gravity after he delivers a sermon to counsel and guide them.^[15] However, these conditions may vary among different Muslims e.g. Shia Muslims have Nikah Mut‘ah, which is quite different in its nature. This permission may be conditional as it was granted when Islam prevailed over polytheistic Arab society in every manner, and there was a great chance that most women would accept Islam. The relevant verse is 5:5..^[15] Pre-requisites of marriage include: Husband may refer to: the male spouse in a marriage a husband pillow. ... Look up wife in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Shiʻa Islam (Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite) makes up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%–35% of all Muslim. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

• Marriage should be conducted through dower.^[39] It is an amount or gift, that is given by the husband to his wife. Once a dower has been ascertained with the realization that it is an obligation of a Muslim husband, he and his wife can mutually change its amount as well as the time of its payment. However, some Muslims insist that dower should be paid by the husband to his wife before they sleep together. Dower should not be considered as a favor rather as an obligation. It should be given according to the social status of the lady. Islamic scholars consider it a way of showing importance of marriage contract and a preparation on behalf of husband to fulfill his marital responsibilities.^[40]

• The second pre-requisite of marriage is chastity. Islam does not give adulterers the right to marry a chaste woman and no adulteress is given the right to marry a chaste man, except if the matter has not gone to court and the two purify themselves of this sin by sincere repentance.^[41][15]

According to the Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone if they object. As it is attributed to Muhammad:^[21] Dower (Lat. ...

• Ibni `Abbaas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (sws), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice [between accepting the marriage or invalidating it]. Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal 2469
• ...the girl said: "Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right [to force a husband on them]". Sunan Ibn Maja 1873

The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Sunan Ibn Maja is the last compiled of Sunni Islams six canonical hadith collections, compiled by Ibn Maja. ...

Divorce

Main article: Talaq (Nikah)

The rules for Talaq (divorce) vary among the major Islamic schools. Most importantly Shi'a and Sunni Muslims have different rules to engage a Talaq. In both the Sunni and Shi'a traditions the right of divorce is primarily for men. In case where the woman wants a divorce, she will ask a court of law for divorce.^[42] The divorced wife keeps her mahr and anything which was given by the husband to his wife. As in Quran: To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... For the record label, see Divorce Records. ... Shia Islam ( Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite or Shiite) is the second largest Islamic denomination; some 20-25% of all Muslims are said to follow a Shia tradition. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Shia Islam ( Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite or Shiite) is the second largest Islamic denomination; some 20-25% of all Muslims are said to follow a Shia tradition. ... A dowry (also known as trousseau) is a gift of money or valuables given by the brides family to the grooms at the time of their marriage. ...

Post divorce

After divorce, Qur'an puts some responsiblities on divorcee and divorcer on behalf of their children.^[43]

Qur'an also prohibit interventions from previous husband in divorced lady's life.

Custody of children

Islamic law does not have any directive for custody of children because this matter can only be decided keeping in view the welfare of the children and the circumstances of the parents. Following are some of the cases decided by Muhammad:^[15]

• Abd-Allah ibn Umar narrates that a lady came to Muhammad and said: "For this son of mine, it is only my belly which was his abode, and my breasts which were his vessel and my lap which was his dwelling place. Now his father has divorced me and wants to take him away from me." Muhammad replied, "You are more entitled to keep him until you marry again." Sunnan Abu Dawood 2276
• Abu Hurairah narrates that in a woman came to Muhammad and said, "My husband wants to take away from me this child even though he has brought over water for me from the well of Abu ‘Anbah and given me a lot of benefit." Muhammad replied, "Both of you can cast a lot on this." When the husband heard, he said, "Who will quarrel with me regarding this son of mine?" Muhammad said, "O son! This is your father and this is your mother; grasp the hand of the one you want to hold." The child grasped the mother's hand and she took him away. Sunnan Abu Dawood 2277

Abdullah ibn Umar(Arabic: عبدالله بن عمر بن الخطاب) (ca. ... Sunan Abu Daud (Arabic: ‎) is one of the Sunni Six Major Hadith collections , collected by Abu Daud. ... `Abd al-Rahman ibn Sakhr Al-Azdi (Arabic: ‎) (d. ... Sunan Abu Daud (Arabic: ‎) is one of the Sunni Six Major Hadith collections , collected by Abu Daud. ...

Rights and obligations as wife

Main article: Rights and obligations of spouses in Islam

Islam advocates a harmonious relationship between husband and wife. It puts the main responsibility of earning over the husband. Both are asked to fulfill the other's sexual needs. Husbands are asked to be kind to their wives and wives are asked to be obedient to their husbands. Qur'an also emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions.^[21] As in the Qur'an: Islam advocates a harmonious relationship between husband and wife. ... Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ...

Behaviour with rebellious wives

Main article: An-Nisa, 34

In case of rebellious behaviour, the husband is asked to urge his wife to mend her ways, then to refuse to share their beds, and as the last resort, husbands are allowed to admonish their wives by beating^[44] (which is normally described as mild and which doesn't leave a mark).^[45][46] As Qur'an states: Verse 34 of an-Nisa is one of the more controversial verses, since some interpret it as a husband does have the right to strike his wife given some conditions. ...

Muhammad is attributed to say in the Farewell Sermon: The Farewell Sermon, also known as the Prophets final sermon, is a famous sermon by Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, delivered before his death, on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, 10 A.H. (632 CE), at the end of his first & final pilgrimage. ...

O people! Accept the advice regarding good treatment of women and [accept it] because they are duty bound [to fulfill your marital rights]. You have no other authority on them except this. And if they commit open sexual misconduct you have the right to leave them alone in their beds and [if even then, they do not listen] beat them such that this should not leave any mark on them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Indeed you have rights over women and they also have rights over you. You have the right that they do not permit into your homes nor sleep with anyone else. Listen! their right upon you is that you feed and clothe them in the best way [you are able to]. Sunan Ibn Maja 1841

Beating wives for any other reason is completely prohibited, as Muhammad is attributed to say: Sunan Ibn Maja is the last compiled of Sunni Islams six canonical hadith collections, compiled by Ibn Maja. ...

I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them. Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2139

John Esposito writes that Quranic passages that talk about rights of women and counsel that they be treated justly and equitably, regulations were enacted such as the “house of obedience”, which has been misused by husbands.^[47] Abu Daud, full name Abu Daud Sulayman ibn Ash`ath al-Azadi al-Sijistani, was a noted collector of hadith (sayings of Muhammad), and wrote the third of the six canonical hadith collections recognized by Sunni Muslims, Sunan Abi Daud. ... Professor John Esposito John Louis Esposito (born 19 May 1940, Brooklyn, New York City) is a professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. ...

Directives for widows

Qur'an prohibits widows to engage themselves for four lunar months and ten days, after the death of their husbands. According to Qur'an:

Islamic scholars consider this directive a balance between mourning of husband's death and protection of widow from censure that she became interested in re-marrying soon after her husband’s death.^[48] This is also to ascertain whether a lady is pregnant or not.^[49]

Husbands should make a will in favor of their wives for the provision of one year’s residence and maintenance, except if the wives themselves leave the house or take any other similar step. As stated in Qur'an:

Polygamy

Qur'an addresses guardians of the orphans to marry the mothers of the orphans that are lawful to them if they fear that they would not be able to do justice to the onerous responsibility of protecting the rights of the orphans and taking care of their wealth and property. Men are allowed to engage in polygamy with two conditions:^[15] The term polygamy (many marriages in late Greek) is used in related ways in social anthropology and sociobiology and sociology. ...

1. Even for as noble an objective as the welfare of orphans, a person may not marry more than four wives at a time.
2. If a person is not able to deal justly with all four wives he should not marry more than the number he can be just with. Justice is a value that has to be maintained at all costs and cannot be sacrificed even for such a noble cause. What "dealing justly" actually consists of is determined by the man concerned.

As the Qur'an states:

Qur'an encourages wives to adjust and adapt to the s