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Aa chal ke tujhe, main le ke chaluun

Aa chal ke tujhe, main le ke chaluun
ik aise gagan ke tale
jahan gam bhii na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hii pyaar pale

Aa chal ke tujeh main le ke chaluun
ik aise gagan ke tale
jahan gam bhi na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

Suraj ki pahali kiran se, aashaa kaa savera jaage (2)
chandaa kii kiraN se dhul kar, ghanaghor andhera bhaage (2)
kabhi dhuup khile kabhi chhaav mile
lambii sii Dagar na khale
jahan gam bhi na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

Jahan door nazar daud aae, aazaad gagan laharaae laharaee (2)
jahan rang birange panchhi, aashaa kaa sandesaa laayen (2)
sapano me pali hansati ho kali
jahan shaam suhaani dhale
jahan gam bhi na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

Sapano Ke aise jahan mein jahan pyaar hi pyaar khila ho
hum jaa ke vahan kho jaaye shikuva na koyi ghila ho
kahin bhair na ho koyi ghair na ho
sab milke chalte chale
jahan gam bhi na ho aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale
aa chal ke tujeh mein leke chaluun
ik aise gagan ke tale
jahan gam bhi na ho aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

Success

"I call people 'successful' not because they have money or their business is doing well but because, as human beings, they have a fully developed sense of being alive and are engaged in a lifetime task of collaboration with other human beings - their mothers and fathers, their family, their friends, their loved ones, the friends who are dying, the friends who are being born.

Success? Don't you know it is all about being able to extend love to people? Really. Not in a big, capital-letter sense but in the everyday.Little by little, task by task, gesture by gesture, word by word."
Ralph Fiennes, b.1962 Oscar-nominated British Actor

Discover the Muslim Heritage in our World

Experience a thousand years of missing history!
Learn about a lost age of Muslim innovation and invention!
Discover the Muslim origins of many Western discoveries!

Brought to you by the makers of www.MuslimHeritage.com, 1001 Inventions is a unique UK based educational project that reveals the rich heritage that the Muslim community share with other communities in the UK, Europe and across the World.

1001 Inventions is a non-religious and non-political project seeking to allow the positive aspects of progress in science and technology to act as a bridge in understanding the interdependence of communities throughout human history.

1001 Inventions consists of a UK and world wide travelling exhibition, a colourful easy to read book, a dedicated website and a themed collection of educational posters complementing a secondary school teachers' pack and a curriculum enrichment programme.

Discover Muslim Heritage in our World in seven conveniently organised zones: home, school, market, hospital, town, world and universe.

Find out more:

1001 Inventions Exhibition
Last Location: Museum of Croydon
Dates: Feb 02, 2008 - May 31, 2008

1001 Inventions Book
A fascinating journey into 1000 years of Muslim scholarship.
Edition 2 is NOW AVAILABLE. Order your copy today!

1001 Inventions Teachers' Pack
Classroom activities for 11-16 year olds and a teachers guide to 1001 Inventions.
Download your copy today!

1001 Inventions Educational Posters
A set of 10 large posters perfect for your school, college, home or university.
Order your poster set today!

From The Top of the Burj (Internal)‏

Now see this stuff………………….
This is taken from world's tallest building 'Burj Dubai' @ 2,620 ft / 801m!!!

What do you think guys…………………




Really amazing

Look at the edge (uppermost right corner) of the picture, you can almost see the turn of the earth

The persons who are working on the upper most Girders can see the 'ROTATION OF EARTH'
So terrifying…..

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar

A'uzu billahi minashaitanir rajim
I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast Satan.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

NON-MUSLIMS REFERRED AS ‘KAFIRS’

Why do Muslims abuse non-Muslims by calling them ‘Kafirs’?

NON-MUSLIMS REFERRED AS ‘KAFIRS’

'Kafir’ means one who rejects.

‘Kafir’ is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means to conceal or to reject. In Islamic terminology, ‘Kafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the truth of Islam and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a ‘non-Muslim’.

If non-Muslims are hurt - they should accept Islam.

If any non-Muslim considers the word ‘Kafir’ i.e. ‘non-Muslim’ as an abuse, he may choose to accept Islam and then we will stop referring to him as or call him a kafir i.e. a non-Muslim.

WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?

Question:

How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

Answer:

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have

millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of

force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the

sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible

for the rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace.

Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means

submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is

acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.

Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace

and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested

interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for

this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and antisocial

elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the

same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The

fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force

can only be used to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.

The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by

the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book “Islam at the cross road” (Page 8):

“History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping

through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races

is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated.”

4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the

sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to

Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who

could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.

5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.

Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British

ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia

for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians

i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would

not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.

6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had

the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today

more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-

Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the

sword.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world.

The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, “Which Muslim

army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?”

8. East Coast of Africa.

Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again

ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, “Which Muslim army went to the East

Coast of Africa?”

9. Thomas Carlyle.

The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book “Heroes and Hero worship”,

refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: “The sword indeed, but

where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in

a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man

alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he

takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get

your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.”

10. No compulsion in religion.

With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use

it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from

error”

[Al-Qur’an 2:256]

11. Sword of the Intellect.

It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of

people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;

and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.”

[Al-Qur’an 16:125]

12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.

An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of

the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century

from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At

the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased

only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted

millions of people to Islam?

13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.

Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing

religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept

Islam in such large numbers?

14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.

Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, “People who worry that nuclear

weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the

Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was

born”.

PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOL IN ISLAM

PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOL

Question:

Why is the consumption of alcohol prohibited in Islam?

Answer:

Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It

continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions

throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing

society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental

illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute

testimony to the destructive power of alcohol.

1. Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an

The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse:

“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (dedication of) stones,

and (divination by) arrows, are an Abomination – of Satan’s handiwork;

eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.” [Al-Qur’an 5:90]

2. Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible

The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses:

a. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is

deceived thereby is not wise.” [Proverbs 20:1]

b. “And be not drunk with wine.” [Ephesians 5:18]

3. Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centre

The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory

centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For

instance a person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his

parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature, his inhibitory centre will

prevent him from doing so in public. Therefore he uses the toilet.

When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That

is precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be indulging

in behaviour that is completely uncharacteristic of him. For instance the

intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language and does not

realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Many even urinate in

their clothes. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They even misbehave.

4. Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among

alcoholics

According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S.

Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713

rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were

intoxicated while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of

molestation.

According to statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve

to thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of

incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved.

One of the major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded

disease, is alcoholism.

5. Every alcoholic was initially a social drinker

Many may argue in favour of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They

claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and so

never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic started as a

social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially starts drinking with the

intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard. No social drinker can say that

I have been having alcohol for several years and that I have so much selfcontrol

that I have never been intoxicated even a single time.

6. If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something

shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime.

Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once. In a state of

intoxication he commits rape or incest. Even if the act is later regretted, a

normal human being is likely to carry the guilt throughout his life. Both the

perpetrator and the victim are irreparably and irreversibly damaged.

7. Alcohol is prohibited in the Hadith

The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

a. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No.

3371.

“Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils.”

b. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No.

3392

“Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a small

quantity.”

Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot.

c. Not only those who drink alcohol are cursed but also those who deal with

them directly or indirectly are cursed by Allah.

According to Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30

Hadith No. 3380.

It was reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet

Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“God’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who

distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one

who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one whom serves it,

the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and

the one who buys it for someone else.”

8. Diseases associated with alcoholism

There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of

intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to

any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people

die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details

of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known. Below

is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses:

1. Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.

2. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of

Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

3. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol

consumption.

4. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and

Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.

5. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with

alcohol intake.

6. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known

syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.

7. Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events,

confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types

of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol

intake.

8. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even

Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

9. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent

infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as

a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if

treated in well equipped centres.

10. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism

ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.

11. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency,

however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in

Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia,

Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.

12. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in

alcoholics.

13. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with

alcohol.

14. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The

resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are

compromised by alcohol intake.

15. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess,

Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

16. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the

cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily

pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may

even cause suffocation and death.

17. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention.

Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During

pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the

foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the

medical profession.

18. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

19. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails)

and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are

common diseases among alcoholics.

9. Alcoholism is a ‘disease’

Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call alcoholism

a disease rather than an addiction.

The Islamic Research Foundation has published a pamphlet that says:

If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that:

- Is sold in bottles

- Is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television

- Has licensed outlets to spread it

- Produces revenue for the government

- Brings violent deaths on the highways

- Destroys family life and increases crime

- Has no germs or viral cause

ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDIWORK

Allah (swt) in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against this snare of Satan.

Islam is called the “Deen-ul-Fitrah” or the natural religion of Man. All its

injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a

deviation from this natural state, for the individual as well as for society. It

degrades man to a level below that of the beasts he claims to be superior to.

Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.

Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?

Question:

Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?

Answer:

This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any

discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every

form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims.

In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and

acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the

American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to

declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack. The culprit was later

identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.

Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:

1. Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’

A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of

the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he

should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words,

he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a

good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of

mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a

person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the

fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.

2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same

One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot

categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of

any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a

fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is

therefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits

society and earns much respect.

3. I am proud to be a Muslim funda-mentalist

I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and

strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away

from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim

because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and

the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or

is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour

misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be

unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam.

If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot

escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective

levels.

4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’

According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in

American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was

a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only in

matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on

belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word

initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the

verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.

According to the Oxford dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenance

of ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’.

Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim

who is a terrorist.

5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist

Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror.

The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist

for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial

elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an

anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word

‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common

people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. antisocial

elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim

should be a source of peace for innocent people.

6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action,

i.e. ‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’

Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of

India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by the

British government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for the

same activities and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels have been

given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a

terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain

had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who

were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and

freedom fighters.

It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing.

Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should be analyzed,

and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken into account,

and then the person can be judged accordingly.

7. Islam means peace

Islam is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion of

peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace

throughout the world.

Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the

fundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards

the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society.

why is polygamy allowed in Islam?

1. POLYGAMY

Question:

Why is a man allowed to have more than one wife in Islam? i.e. why is polygamy allowed in Islam?

Answer:

1. Definition of Polygamy

Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry

is completely prohibited.

Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than one wife?

2. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says, “marry only one”.

The Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the phrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one can marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.

Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several wives.

In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.

Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had three wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygyny continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries

continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.

(*Interesting Note:- As per the 1975 census of India Hindus are more polygynous than Muslims. The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of Woman in Islam’, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961

was 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being illegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there

was no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian Law that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the

Hindu scriptures.)

Let us now analyse why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife.

3. Qur’an permits limited polygyny

As I mentioned earlier, Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth that says ‘marry only one’. The context of this phrase is the following verse from Surah Nisa of the Glorious Qur’an:

“Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.” [Al-Qur’an 4:3]

Before the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygyny and many men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit of four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women,only on the condition that he deals justly with them.

In the same chapter i.e. Surah Nisa verse 129 says:

“Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women....”[Al-Qur’an 4:129]

Therefore polygyny is not a rule but an exception. Many people are under the misconception that it is compulsory for a Muslim man to have more than one wife. Broadly, Islam has five categories of Do’s and Don’ts: (i) ‘Fard’ i.e. compulsory or obligatory

(ii) ‘Mustahab’ i.e. recommended or encouraged

(iii) ‘Mubah’ i.e. permissible or allowed

(iv) ‘Makruh’ i.e. not recommended or discouraged

(v) ‘Haraam’ i.e. prohibited or forbidden

Polygyny falls in the middle category of things that are permissible. It cannot be said that a Muslim who has two, three or four wives is a better Muslim as compared to a Muslim who has only one wife.

4. Average life span of females is more than that of males By nature males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. A female child has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the germs and diseases better than the male child. For this reason, during the pediatric age itself there are more deaths among males as compared to the females.

During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die due to accidents and diseases than women. The average life span of females is more than that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the world than widowers.

5. India has more male population than female due to female foeticide and infanticide

India is one of the few countries, along with the other neighbouring countries, in which the female population is less than the male population. The reason lies in the high rate of female infanticide in India, and the fact that more than one million female foetuses are aborted every year in this country, after they are identified as females. If this evil practice is stopped, then India too will have more females as compared to males.

6. World female population is more than male population

In the USA, women outnumber men by 7.8 million. New York alone has one million more females as compared to the number of males, and of the male population of New York one-third are gays i.e sodomites. The U.S.A as a whole has more than twenty-five million gays. This means that these people do not wish to marry women. Great Britain has four million more females as compared

to males. Germany has five million more females as compared to males. Russia has nine million more females than males. God alone knows how many million more females there are in the whole world as compared to males.

7. Restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not practical

Even if every man got married to one woman, there would still be more than thirty million females in U.S.A who would not be able to get husbands (considering that America has twenty five million gays). There would be more than four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine

million females in Russia alone who would not be able to find a husband.

Suppose my sister happens to be one of the unmarried women living in USA, or suppose your sister happens to be one of the unmarried women in USA. The only two options remaining for her are that she either marries a man who already has a wife or becomes 'public property'. There is no other option. All

those who are modest will opt for the first. Most women would nto like to share their husband with other women. But in Islam when the situation deems it really neccessary Muslim women in due faith

could bear a small personal loss to prevent a greater loss of letting other Muslim sisters becoming 'public properties'.

8. Marring a married man preferable to becoming 'public property'

In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected life. The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one wife, in which women retain their honourable, dignified position in society and

lead a protected life. Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to

marry a married man or to become 'public property'. Islam prefers giving women the honourable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the second.

There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted limited polygyny, but it is mainly to protect the modesty of women.