Observation

This is a popular question among the candidates. This question required the candidates to highlight the relevance of polygamy in Islam. Those who failed this question are those candidates without adequate understanding and those that failed to highlight the relevance points needed. The general performanceswere good. The following points were expected from the candidates:

Polygamy is marrying more than one wife by a male Muslim after satisfying certain conditions. (Introduction).

1. The practice of polygamy is prescribed in Suratun-Nisā’i (Q.4:3).
2. Polygamy can take care of a situation where women outnumber men.
3. Where the wife is barren, another wife may give birth to the children.
4. Polygamy may reduce the incidence of adultery and fornication.
5. With polygamy widows have greater opportunity to re-marry.
6. In a situation where a woman is sexually weak and cannot satisfy the man, polygamy could be a solution.
7. Orphans get the opportunity of enjoying fatherhood when their mothers re-marry.
8. Women in polygamous homes enjoy the same rights and privileges.
9. Polygamy ensures that the incidence of illegitimate children is minimized.
10. Some earlier prophets practiced polygamy e.g.Ibrāhīm, Ya‘qub, Dāwūd, sulaymān (A.S.) etc.
11. In case of serious illness and physical handicap of woman, she can be maintained while the husband goes polygamous.
12. Polygamy is better than infidelity.
13. The permit granted for the practice of polygamy fulfils the natural desires of man to fight lewdness.
14. Q.4:129 highlight the difficulties in the practise of polygamy.