By Imaam 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn 'Abdullaah Ibn Baaz
Is polygany simply a social issue open for debate?
Is polygany simply a social issue open for debate?
[Q]: Some women give preference to the societal norms of Europe or the West in general; or in the un-Islamic lands, saying: “Plural marriage is unlawful.” While we have a legislative ruling permitting polygyny. What is the ruling on leveling this (type of) charge against Islam.
[A]: Whoever hates plural marriage or claims that not having plural marriage is better, then he is a kaafir and an apostate from Islam. This is because he, and we seek refuge with Allaah, is a rejecter of the ruling of Allaah and hates that which Allaah has legislated. Allaah, Glorified be He, says:
ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُوا مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالَهُمْ
“That is because they hate that which Allaah has sent down (this Qur'aan and Islaamic laws, etc.), so He has made their deeds fruitless.”
[Soorah Muhammad, 47:9]
Whoever dislikes that which Allaah has sent down then his deeds are fruitless. So whoever dislikes plural marriage or holds that the sharee’ah has been oppressive; or that the ruling of Allaah regarding this is deficient or not good; or that that which they do within the lands of the Christians from monogamous marriage is better and more befitting, then all of this constitutes apostasy from Islam, and we seek refuge with Allaah; just as the one who says that the obligation of Salaat is not appropriate. (Saying for example): “If the people where to be left without (having to offer) Salaat, this would be better; or without having to fast, this would be better; or without having to pay Zakaat, this would be better.” Whoever says this, then he is a Kaafir. Likewise, whoever says that not praying is more befitting; or not fasting is more befitting; or not paying Zakaat is more befitting; or not making Hajj is more proper; (whoever says this) then he is a Kaafir. Likewise, if one were to say: “There is nothing wrong with ruling by other than the Sharee’ah; it is permissible.” Even if he says that ruling by the Sharee’ah is better, but he says that ruling by other than that which Allaah has sent down is permissible or it is good, all of this constitutes apostasy from Islam, and we seek refuge with Allaah.
The gist of the matter is, that whoever dislikes that which Allaah has sent down and that which Allaah has legislated then he is an apostate. Likewise, whoever loves or is pleased with that which Allaah has prohibited and says that it is good and that it is appropriate; such as fornication and stealing, then he is a Kaafir as well; and we ask Allaah for safety.
