Recent news reports of a man in Nigeria claiming to have 86 wives have sparked confusion and concern among Muslims worldwide. The claim that the Quran allows unlimited wives is a grave misunderstanding of Islamic law. This article clarifies the definitive Islamic ruling on polygamy, citing clear evidence from the Quran and Sunnah that restricts the maximum number of wives to four.
The Quranic Limit: Maximum of Four
The foundational text for the permission of polygamy in Islam is found in Surah An-Nisa. Contrary to the claims of those who practice unrestricted polygamy, the verse explicitly sets a numerical cap.
Allah Almighty says:
“And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one…” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:3).
Renowned scholars and commentators agree unanimously that the phrase “two or three or four” acts as a restriction, not an open-ended suggestion. The grammar of the Arabic language in this verse does not allow for addition beyond four (i.e., it does not mean 2+3+4=9, nor does it imply an infinite progression).
Evidence from the Sunnah
The practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his instructions to new converts provide irrefutable evidence against having more than four wives.
The Case of Ghaylan Ath-Thaqafi
When Ghaylan Ath-Thaqafi embraced Islam, he was married to ten women from the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not allow him to keep all of them. instead, he issued a clear command:
Choose four of them and separate from the rest.” (Narrated by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah).
The Case of Qays ibn al-Harith
Similarly, Qays ibn al-Harith reported that when he became Muslim, he had eight wives. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told him: “Choose four of them.”
Consensus of Scholars (Ijma’)
There is a total consensus (Ijma’) among all major schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) that a Muslim man is not permitted to have more than four wives simultaneously. Any marriage contract entered into beyond the fourth wife is considered null and void (Batil).
Conclusion regarding the Nigerian Case
The actions of individuals who marry dozens of women have no basis in Shari’ah. Such claims are based on personal interpretations that contradict the clear texts of the Quran and the established Sunnah. The eminent scholars emphasize that such behavior is in clear conflict with the consensus of the Muslim Ummah and is totally unacceptable.
