More than one wife: Why not?

More than one wife: Why not?

From Media Indonesia

The recent marriage law has led to arguments in the mass media
and in seminars. This government regulation has sparked debate
not only because it is one of the New Order regime's laws but
also because prostitution, adultery and other indecent acts are
rampant. Therefore this government regulation must be annulled
because it not only contravenes human rights but is also
contradictory with Allah's decree in An Nisa Epistle, a verse in
the Koran: "So you wed two, three or four women that you like.
Then if you fear that you cannot treat them with justice, you wed
just one."

The verse clearly shows that Allah knew well the nature and
desire of His creatures (human beings) so He introduced a legal
norm, namely giving permission for men to marry more than one
women, as long as they are able to give just treatment to each of
them.

Standardization of the law on marriages is the same as the
standardization of other Islamic laws, such as the law on salat
(performance of ritual prayers five times a day), zakat (tithe
payable on the last day of the Muslim fasting month) and fasting.
The implementation of these laws will depend on the capacity of
an individual.

Therefore, as human beings all have different abilities and
backgrounds, the Muslim law on marriage need not be questioned
because it is obviously the product of divine laws. Whether or
not they will be beneficial is left to man.

M. THABRANI

Bekasi, West Java