• Among them is the elevation of the children of Adam from an animal-like existence to a noble, truly human life.

And there are many other tremendous benefits that accrue from a sound, lawful marriage founded upon the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.

Marriage (nikah) is a legal contract that permits each spouse to enjoy the other. The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “Treat women kindly, for they are like captives in your care; you have made their private parts lawful to you by Allah’s word.”

The marriage contract is moreover a covenant between the two partners. Allah the Exalted says, “and they have taken from you a solemn covenant” (Q 4:21). Hence each spouse is obliged to honor that covenant toward the other, for Allah the Most High says, “O you who believe, fulfil the contracts” (Q 5:1).

Whoever possesses the means and is confident of avoiding injustice is permitted to marry more than one woman. Allah the Exalted says, “Marry those women who please you—two, three, or four; but if you fear that you will not deal justly, then (marry) only one” (Q 4:3). The justice required here is the justice that is within human capacity: equal treatment of co-wives in maintenance, clothing, housing, and overnight stays.

The permissibility of polygyny is one of the beauties of this Sharia and a sign of its suitability for every time and place, for it secures great benefits for men, women, and societies: