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