Does islam belives in having more than one wives??

Is it fair???

...other religions have had this practice, as well...in many parts of the world.

There are some that allow multiple husbands to one wife... Is that fair?

Thedude ...let me follow you in any religion is it fair

I dont know what's the history of Muslim...but they beleive that their job is to develope more Muslim beleivers, in that way they can marry more than 1 wife to produce more Muslim children...or maybe, I saw this in Musim movie once, its ok to marry another women just to save her live from poor/to turn her to Muslim...but I dont know as I am Christian...I just heard this from my uslim friend... If im wrong, Im sorry...

down 2 earth...I agree with you but some of the muslims say that islam has alowed more than one marriages to a normal man... I accept if the wife is not well or something serious and she alows her husband to marry another women but...is it fair for a normal man to marry another women for his interest...I want some relevent islam rules based answers from muslims...

Yes indeed More than one wife is allowed in Islam but only under a condition which is equal treatment.

Passionhappy, google:

Muslim husbands with more than one wife to get extra benefits as ministers recognise polygamy Daily Mail

Islamic law permits men to have up to four wives at any one time - known as a harem - provided the husband spends equal amounts of time and money on each of them.
A Muslim man with four spouses - which is permitted under Islamic law - could receive £10,000 a year in income support alone.
He could also be entitled to more generous housing and council tax benefit, to reflect the fact his household needs a bigger property.

Because the Islamic faith permits poligamy and the laws in Islamic countries permit poligamy. If the Muslim man is in a country that does not permit poligamy, e.g. the U.S. or the U.K., he is subject to the laws in that country and may not marry more than one wife in that country. It would be alright with Islam, but he still must obey the laws of the land where he is

For me it seems like they only marry a few women to enrich themselves, rather than anything else! Mean to say: having 4 servants and bed partners and be paid for this, what a score!!! If their religion and law allows it, why would they turn the opportunity down?

But you have to treat all wives equally which is (in my view) impossible.

...jane_of_the_jungle:

Not all muslim countries have such rules And, there are several branches of Islam...just as there are several branches of other belief systems. The country my wife is from, for example, is Muslim, but marrying multiple wives does *not* engender a tax benefit to the man (or women) involved.

well im muslim and im from bosnia and we dont believe in such law.I think its messed up 2 have up 2 4 wives...

Ok I don't know too much about Muslim religion or the whole idea of polygamy, but my guess is they allow a man to have more than one wife inhopes of a better chance to continue the family name/last name...thats not based on any facts thats just my opinion or guess.

Could that be it? lol

to jonathan ...no husband can treat 2 wifes equally...as it is said after marriage husband and wife is one soul and 2 bodies...how can he share the soul...and no wifves will ever like her husband to go and marry another one...and even if he does so without her permission that is not what you mean by EQUAL TREATMENT. She is hurt there and by hurting her if he marries another one for his own interest then he doesnt love her wife and have no feelings for his wife= NO EQUAL Treatment.
Just because of this statement people are just misusing it and marring as many as they want and tell that it is mensioned in Islam...

to jane of the jungle ...Islamic law permits men to have up to four wives at any one time - known as a harem - provided the husband spends equal amounts of time and money on each of them. TIME AND MONEY its never mentioned its like they should treat their wifes equally ...in every sence ...and which is IMPOSSIBLE.

uhmm well being muslim myself, I have always kept in mind (and taught to keep it in mind) that the Islam was developed in the 600's in Saudi. think about what was going on that region at the time. any book that was written will hold some sort of culture.

and asking if it is fair, thats up to you. is it fair for muslims to be singled out all the freaking time?

Actually,Islam allows a Muslim man to have max. 4 wives-IF THE FIRST ONE AGREES!IF SHE DOESNT WANT HIM TO MARRY ANOTHER,HE CANT.

Define fair for me.

I for one detest the word. When it's shouted, usually in the context of That's not fair! it makes the user sound like a 5 year old on the play ground, just lost a game.

Passionhappy, nothing in life is fair. Nothing. Forget fair and ask if it's right or wrong. Now we're moving some where.

When are we going to get out of the business of telling other adults what they can and can't do. I know many polygamists who have made it work, and they are happy, both the man and the women.