It is believed these Verses were revealed after the Battle of Uhud, in which many Muslim men were killed, leaving widows and orphans. Thus, many argue that these Verses have been revealed “because of Allah’s concern for the welfare of women and orphans who were left without husbands and fathers who died fighting for the Prophet and for Islam. It is a verse about compassion towards women and their children; it is not about men or their sexuality.
In the second part of Verse 4:3, the Qu’ran states “but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.”[1] If a man cannot deal justly with more than one wife, then he must marry only one. It is clear that this quote was revealed out of compassion towards women, and not as a means to please male sexuality, which is a common modern interpretation of such verses.
Putting the verses regarding polygyny into the broader Qur’anic context by examining the nature of marriage in Islam helps understanding them. The Quran [4:21- “And how could ye take it when ye have gone in unto each other, and they have Taken from you a solemn covenant?
refers to marriage as a mithaq, i.e. a solemn covenant or agreement between husband and wife, and enjoins that it be put down in writing (4:21). Marriage is more than just a “solemn covenant” however, with Surah 30 verse 21 stating “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.
Love and mercy are very much a part of marriage as described in the Qur’an. Although the Qur’an may prescribe different roles for males (husbands often seen as the provider), the equality between husband and wife is promoted when it is dictated in Surah 2 verse 187 that “They (your wives) are as a garment to you, and you are as a garment to them.
