When it is obligatory and desirable to marry only one.
A) al Qurtubi
B) Al Hajjaawi Hanbali
C) Ibn Qudama Hanbali
D) Abul Barakaat Al-Majd ibn Taymiyyah
E) Ash-Shirbeeni the Shafiee
F) Al Albani
G) Ibn Nujaym
H) Fatawa al Hindiya
A) al Qurtubi said:
{ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلاَّ تَعْدِلُواْ فَوَاحِدَةً } قال الضحاك وغيره: في المَيْل والمحَبّة والجِماع والعِشرة والقَسْم بين الزوجات الأربع والثلاث والاثنتين، { فواحدةً }. فمنع من الزيادة التي تؤدّي إلى ترك العدل في القَسْم وحُسن العِشرة. وذلك دليل على وجوب ذلك، والله أعلم.
{But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one} Ad-Dahhak and others said: If man fears that he is not able to do justice between four, three or two wives in Inclination, Love, Intercourse , treating kindly and dividing the time then marry {only one}. It is prohibited to transgress in neglecting (the right of) Justice, division and treating kindly. In this case this verse is evidence on WUJOOB (OBLIGATION) on marrying only one, Allah knows best. [Tafsir al Qurtubi under an-Nisa verse 3]
B) The Hanbali scholar Al-Hajjaawi may Allaah have mercy upon him wrote, “It is recommended to take only one (wife).” [Zaad Al-Mustaqni’]
C) Ibn Qudaamah may Allaah have mercy upon him from the Hanbali School of jurisprudence, said in Ash-Sharh Al-Kabeer: “It is more appropriate to marry only one wife. [End of quote from Ash-Sharh Al-Kabeer authored by Shams-ud-deen Ibn Qudaamah]
D) The author of Al-Muharrar [i.e. Abul Barakaat Al-Majd ibn Taymiyyah] said this (as above mentioned by Ibn Qudaamah), based on the saying of Allaah (which means) {…But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one}.” [End of quote from Ash-Sharh Al-Kabeer authored by Shams-ud-deen Ibn Qudaamah]
E) Ash-Shirbeeni from the Shaafi’i School of jurisprudence, said in Mughni Al-Muhtaaj: “It is a Sunnah not to marry more than one wife if there is no apparent need.” [End of quote]
F) Advice of Shaykh al Albani to the youth regarding Polygamy.
He said:
”إذا كان يستطيع أن يجمع بين البنتين أو بين المرأتين ورضيت الأولى هذا بلاشك أولى؛ وهذا فيه تحقيق للنص القرآني {فَانْكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ} [النساء: 3].
لكن هذا في هذا الزمان صعب جدا، الجمع بين الزوجتين صعب جدا في هذا الزمان؛ والصعوبة قد تكون مشتركة بين الزوجين، وقد تكون منفردة من أحد الزوجين الذكر اوالأنثى؛ فأنت قد تكون رجلا صالحا وإذا جمعت بين الزوجتين تحكم بينهما وتقسم بالعدل كما هو معروف في الشرع؛ لكن إحداهما لا تساعدك على ذلك إما القديمة وإما الحديثة وذلك لفساد أخلاق المجتمع، لفساد أخلاق أهل الزوجة الأولى أو الأخرى؛ ولذلك على الرغم من صراحة الشريعة الإسلامية بإباحة التعدد أنا لا أنصح اليوم بالزواج؛ وذلك للمشاكل التي تقع بالزواج الثاني“
If a Man has a power to remain with two wives and the first wife is pleased with it that is better without a doubt. This is practicing upon the verse “then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four.”
However, this is very difficult in this time, to combine two wives. The difficulty may be shared by both spouses, or it may be individual from one of the spouses, whether male or female. Even if you are a righteous man who treats your wives equally, it is possible that your first or second wife may not accept your second marriage due to the moral values of the society or the influence of their family members.
Although Islam permits men to marry more than one wife, I would not advise marrying a second time in today’s world. This is due to the problems that can arise after a second marriage.[سلسلة الهدى والنور (مفرغ كاملا) 2/ 489
G) Ibn Nujaym al hanafi said:
قَالُوا إذَا تَرَكَ التَّزَوُّجَ عَلَى امْرَأَتِهِ كَيْ لَا يُدْخِلَ الْغَمَّ عَلَى زَوْجَتِهِ الَّتِي عِنْدَهُ كَانَ مَأْجُورًا
“They said: If a man does not marry another woman out of concern for his current wife’s feelings, he will be rewarded for that.
Al Bahr al Raaiq 3/113
H) Fatawa al Hindiya states:
“وإذا كانت له امرأة وأراد أن يتزوج عليها أخرى وخاف أن لايعدل بينهما لايسعه ذلك، وإن كان لايخاف وسعه ذلك، والامتناع أولى، ويؤجر بترك إدخال الغم عليها كذا في السراجية.”
“If a man has a wife and wants to marry another woman, but he is afraid that he will not be able to treat them equally, then he is not permitted to do so. However, if he is not afraid, then he is permitted to marry a second wife. However, it is better to abstain from doing so, and he will be rewarded for refraining from causing her sadness, as mentioned in the book of al-Sarajiyyah.”
Fatawa al Hindiya ,Kitab al Nikah 1/341
Note: Polygamy was never intended to be oppressive. In fact, it can be used to help women who are in need, such as widows, divorcees, or poor women who are unable to find a husband. If a man marries a second wife to support her, his first wife should be understanding and supportive.Still it is not obligatory or recommended, it is just allowed.