Question: But in most cases is it after puberty?
Answer: In most cases it is after puberty; however, if a boy is married before reaching puberty or a girl is married off before reaching puberty, there is no objection. Marriage has no fixed minimum age at which it is forbidden. That said, once puberty occurs the need for marriage becomes more acute, and so it is prescribed whenever the need is present.
As for having more than one wife, the Muslims are unanimously agreed on its permissibility; there is no difference of opinion about it, because the Most High says:
“If you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphans, then marry those women who please you—two, three, or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then (marry) only one, or those whom your right hands possess.” (al-Nisāʾ 4:3)
The scholars therefore concur that polygyny is allowed, on condition that a man knows he can fulfill the wives’ rights in terms of maintenance, clothing, and housing. If he is able to meet the expenses of several wives, he may marry up to four. But if he cannot, and fears that he would be unfair in the division of nights, in expenditure, or in his dealings with them, he must content himself with one, in keeping with the verse: “But if you fear that you will not be just, then (marry) only one.” (al-Nisāʾ 4:3)
Here, justice means fairness in companionship, spending, housing, clothing, and all other matters over which he has control.
Inclination of the heart and its affections, however, are beyond a person’s control. For that reason the Exalted said:
“You will never be able to be completely fair between wives, even if you strive to do so; so do not incline completely toward one and leave another hanging.” (al-Nisāʾ 4:129)
Question: Is the inclination meant here the inclination of the heart?
Answer: Yes. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to distribute his time justly among his wives and would say, “O Allah, this …”