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up the principle which is in accordance with the human nature and the
nature of the marital Institutian6"
It is sometimes asserted that polygamy involves humiliation for
the woman and depriv as her of the right of equality with men. For
example, why should not women be given the right to polyandry ?
However, giving women the right to polyandry is inconsistent with
Islamic social systems. Blood bonds and lineage are serious matters.
whom will be the children of a polyandrous woman belong to as a
father? Will they belong to four fathers ? Or. will they just belong
to their mother'? Who will be responsible for the children and for
ýthe family ? Will it be the wife or the four husbands altogether ?
-All such suggestions would be unacceptable. Polyandry cannot be
accepted especially in a patriarchal Society where blood and lineage
are considered ritual. Polygamy on the other hand does not involve
such complications nor does it involve ignoring the woman's rights.
As mentioned above, Islam does not force a woman to get maried without
her own consent. On the contrary, Islam gives a woman the' absolute
freedom to accept or reject an ofer of marriage.
1
It should be noted that in the final analysis. it is entirely by her
own 'Choice that a woman marries a man already married and a polygamous
ý,
ýi fe still has the choice that if she feels that she cannot be ar life
ýwith her husband, or is unwilling to live with him. to seek a divorce
from'herhusband. As"the Qurlan says:
"if ye (judges) do indeed fear that they would be
unable to keep the limits ordained by God. there
In no blame on either of them if she gives
something for her freedom, "
Finally, as J. L. said about polygamy. "It is a good system
that improves the moral standard of the nations that adopt it. It
also' strengthens the family unity and gives the woman more respect
and'. ha ppiness.
1. Ibid
2. Q2 2A
3. ai-SNi. op. cit., P. 78
3
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