Polygamy in Islam

12 Grade 9 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Polygamy in Islam, with worked marking schemes. 12 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A man wishes to marry a second wife. A scholar reminds him of the condition set in Surah An-Nisa (4:3). What is the key condition Islam places on polygamy?

   A. He may marry up to four, but only if he can deal justly between them; if he fears injustice, then one

   B. He may marry any number with no limit

   C. He must marry at least four wives

   D. Polygamy requires no fairness at all

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   A man cannot provide equal maintenance and fair treatment to more than one wife. According to Islamic teaching he should:

   A. Borrow to afford more wives

   B. Marry four regardless

   C. Divorce the first wife

   D. Marry only one wife

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   6 marks

   Explain three reasons why Islam permits polygamy.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3 x 2 marks: to provide care and protection for widows and divorcees; to cater for orphans by bringing them into a family; to address situations where women outnumber men (e.g. after war); to offer a lawful solution where the first wife is chronically ill/barren instead of divorce; to enable lawful fulfilment of needs and increase the ummah; to prevent immorality/illicit relationships.

4. Question 4

   6 marks

   A man with four wives spends most of his time and money on the youngest, neglecting the others. Using Islamic teaching, evaluate his conduct.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3 well-explained points x 2 marks: he violates the condition of justice ('adl) which is obligatory in polygamy; the Qur'an warns that if you cannot be just, marry only one; the Prophet warned that a man who inclines wholly to one wife will come on the Day of Judgment with a side leaning/paralysed; the neglected wives' rights (maintenance, time, housing) are being denied which is oppression (dhulm); he should either treat them fairly or face accountability before Allah.

5. Question 5

   4 marks

   Describe four challenges that may arise in a polygamous family, giving a brief Islamic way of managing each.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 4 x 1 mark (state challenge with brief remedy): jealousy/rivalry among wives - promote fairness and open communication; unequal treatment - strictly observe justice in provision and time; financial strain - marry only within one's means; conflicts among children - treat all children equitably; tension with in-laws - apply patience and consultation.

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Islam permits a Muslim man to marry up to a maximum of how many wives at a time?

   A. Two

   B. No limit

   C. Three

   D. Four

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   The most important condition placed on a man who wishes to practise polygamy is that he must:

   A. Marry women of the same age

   B. Deal justly (adl) among his wives

   C. Obtain the first wife's fortune

   D. Be wealthy

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Which of the following is a valid social benefit of polygamy in Islam?

   A. It reduces a man's responsibilities

   B. It abolishes the rights of the first wife

   C. It removes the need for justice

   D. It provides for widows and cares for orphans in the community

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   The Qur'anic verse permitting polygamy is found in which surah, which also discusses the care of orphans?

   A. Surah al-Fatiha

   B. Surah al-Kawthar

   C. Surah al-Ikhlas

   D. Surah an-Nisa

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    4 marks

    State four conditions a Muslim man must meet before marrying more than one wife.

    (4 marks)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    In polygamy, the requirement of justice ('adl) between wives primarily applies to matters such as:

    A. Their levels of education

    B. Their family backgrounds

    C. Provision, time, housing and fair treatment

    D. Equal love in the heart

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    A man tells his friend he wishes to marry a second wife. His friend reminds him of the Qur'anic condition in Surah An-Nisa (4:3). What does Islam require of a man who marries more than one wife?

    A. He must marry exactly four wives

    B. He must deal justly between them, and if he fears he cannot, then only one

    C. He may neglect the first wife once he marries again

    D. He needs no condition at all

    (1 mark)

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