Question: A non-Muslims friend
has pointed out a contradiction in the Qur’a#n.
He says that in the beginning of the fourth su#rah,
the Qur’a#n asks the believers
to marry more than one wife only if they are able to do justice with all
their wives:
But if you fear that you shall not treat them justly,
then only one. (4:3)
Later on, in the same su#rah
one comes across the following verse:
You will not be able to deal justly between your wives
however much you wish to do so. (4:129)
This verse says that dealing justly with
more than one wife is an impossibility. Consequently, it seems that the
Qur’a#n is giving an option
to the believers which in its own words cannot be availed. In other words,
it is contradicting its own words.
This contradiction has really disturbed me. What is your
opinion?
Answer: A little deliberation on the
context of the two verses shows that there is no contradiction at all in
the two verses. The verses relate to two entirely different affairs. If
the remaining portion of verse 129 is taken into consideration, it becomes
evident that the justice which this verse is discussing pertains to the
inclination of the heart, which of course is a very subjective phenomenon.
You will not be able to deal justly between your wives
however much you wish to do so. So do not incline yourself to one
so as to leave the other hanging [in the air]. (4:129)
One can be more attached to one wife than
the others. This is but natural and to demand justice in this matter is
injustice itself. What is required from the husband as verse 4:3 points
out is that as far as the rights of the wives are concerned, he must always
deal fairly and equally among them.
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