589
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 36:
Line 36: + + + + + + + + + +
no edit summary
Historically, [[Mormonism]] has practiced polygyny (more than one wife). It stopped being a part of mainstream Mormonism in 1890, but some fringe groups still practice it.
Historically, [[Mormonism]] has practiced polygyny (more than one wife). It stopped being a part of mainstream Mormonism in 1890, but some fringe groups still practice it.
==Islam==
Islam allows [[Muslim]] men to have up to four wives. The Qu'ran says(4:3): "Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one." <ref>http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ISLAM/QURAN.HTM</ref>
Before Islam, it was common for a man to have many wives. The limit of four imposed by Islam was a way of controlling the situation. A Muslim may marry up to four women only on condition he deals justly with all of them. For example, he must provide each with separate living accommodation. Since this is difficult, most Muslim men in practice do not have more than one wife.
The reason for allowing multiple wives was for the welfare of widows and orphans. Muslim men are required to be financially responsible for the members of their family, and this was a way of ensuring that there was somebody to take responsibility for widows' and orphans' welfare.
It also allowed for a man who wished to father children to take another wife if his first wife was barren, and allowing the first wife to choose whether to continue in the marriage. A Muslim man is not allowed to marry another woman without the knowledge and consent of his wife, and the wife has the right to ask for divorce if she does not agree.<ref>http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/spot_full_story.asp?service_id=795</ref>
==Civil marriage==
==Civil marriage==