Example Of Polygamy Essay

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The text Polygamy written by Moulavi Chiragh Ali deals with the issues of polygamy marriage and the treatments of women who lived before and during the life of Muhammad in the Muslim society. Based on the text, it can be noticed that polygamy was a widespread practice amongst pagans who lived in the Arab peninsula and that the position of women was difficult. As a reformer, Muhammad had a difficult task that included the enforcement of law that treated women with more respect and dignity. One of those tasks was to limit the number of wives to four. Even though the practice of polygamy still exists in some of the modern Arab countries, it may be noticed that Muhammad's reform had a deep impact on the position of women in this part of world.
Based on the text, polygamy was not only exclusive to pagan societies, but to early Christians and Jewish population as well. Women were treated with a little or no respect and it must have been a difficult to Muhammad to implement his views on this issues. The culture that these tribes practiced were deeply rooted in their attitude towards women. Muhammad’s attempt to place women in a suitable position was something that gained results. One cannot underestimate the importance that he had in this matter, even though the majority of Western societies consider polygamy as an undesirable phenomenon in every society. However, before criticizing Muhammad or the position of women in the Muslim culture, the position of women before and after Mohammad has to be taken into consideration. According to Ali (1883), "Before the social amendments introduced by Muhammad throughout Arabia, an unlimited license of polygamy and capricious divorces, together with a revolting system of concubinage, had been prevalent" (p. 146). This serves as a remainder of the old habits that prevailed in the pre-Muhammad societies.
Even though the majority of the world criticizes the Muslim culture and polygamy, the good intention of this prophet should be recognized. He elevated the position of women and restricted the number of wives in a polygamy marriage by ensuring that each wife is treated equally. This is one of many important tasks that Muhammad managed to incorporate in the Muslim society. However, one has to ask himself when will the positions of women in the Muslim society advance to a higher level?

Reference:

Ali, Chiragh Moulavi (1883). Polygamy. Islamic Modernism and the issue of Women. p. 145-157