Five conditions under which polygamy is permitted

 

4 November 2025

Five conditions under which polygamy is permitted

Amidst my busyness, Prophet Khidr AS came to me with a joyful countenance and said:

 

“O Ahmad, indeed, the rain that descends from the sky brings two things — it nourishes and benefits all creatures upon the earth, yet some of it brings calamity as a punishment and a reminder for the disbelieving and unjust people. Such is the parable of those who are knowledgeable and possess noble character( akhlakulkarimah ). Truly, a person who is learned and well-mannered brings happiness, tranquillity, serenity, and blessings to those who use their intellect and hearts — both to those who practise such virtues and to those who sit in the company of Allah’s patient, learned, and noble servants. Yet it brings regret and humiliation to those whose hearts are diseased with envy, jealousy, and malice towards the patient, learned, and virtuous servants of Allah.

 

O Ahmad, sit and listen to my counsel, for this advice was once spoken by Angel Jibril to Prophet Shodif in the land of Arkhabil. There is no tranquillity except that it belongs to Allah, the Most Serene and Most Powerful. He has made ‘the vast water beneath His Throne’ a parable of His boundless Patience in managing all His creations. Thus, Allah created several moons filled with water of 12 colours and 12 tastes throughout the universe, and an expanse of water above the highest heaven with 112colours, filled with coolness.

 

O Ahmad, indeed the letter “ن” (Nūn) signifies NawayalMuqaddarah — the Pen that has dried, upon which all of Allah’s decrees over His creation have been written completely on the vast Tablet. Therefore, Allah named His perfect Scripture, the Qur’an, as NUR,HUDA and FURQAN so that His servants would not go astray nor be humiliated — for those who believe in Him, in His Books, and in His Prophets and Messengers. Truly, Nūn is His perfect Pen.

 

Do you know, O Ahmad? You and those who believe in Allah and in your noble grandfather Muhammad must write the story of your life in beautiful script — as a Rahmatanlil-‘Alamin (mercy to all creations) throughout your lifetime.

 

O Ahmad, Allah does not punish those who are patient and righteous, nor does He abandon them. He merely gives them trials and lessons. Indeed, the highest rank before Allah is reserved for His servants who strive for the future of the ummah, who spread love and compassion, and who are wise and generous. Allah never breaks His promise but always fulfils it for His servants who patiently accept every decree with sincerity and conviction.

 

O Ahmad, there is no perfection or happiness for those who seek it through their eyes or measure it with their desires (lust), for only weariness and pain shall befall the disbelievers and the envious — those who are hypocritical and full of malice. Such people are harmful to the servants of Allah who are near to them. It is not sinful for you to distance yourself from the envious, for has not the way to deal with the envious been clearly shown through the stories from the noble era of Prophet Muhammad? Indeed, the damage and suffering caused by envy upon those who trust the envious are evident. Gentleness vanishes and goodness dies in the hearts of those consumed by envy. Many lands have been ruined because the envious, the corrupt, and the hypocrites were appointed as leaders and entrusted with power.

 

O Ahmad, truly the number 6666 opens three blessings upon their fields and unveils what has long been concealed for one among them (your sisters). There will be no calamity or trial upon her daughter except that Allah intends to make her a truthful and righteous servant. She must be patient and repent sincerely (taubatnasuha) so that Allah will remove the burden that weighs upon her heart. Let her be God-conscious and steadfast.

 

O Ahmad, you are not obliged to divide your time among your wives according to the periods they demand. Do not seek out their faults, nor should your wives raise their voices against you — and neither should you do so. Allah does not will nor love a man who initiates divorce. He curses the man who searches for faults in his wives as a pretext for divorce. There will be no blessing or happiness for a woman who seeks separation (khuluk) merely because of dislike for a single mistake of her husband, for Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Just — except in cases where the couple have departed from the true faith (DienulHaq) or there is injustice or threat to safety. Such couples must appoint a just arbiter between them — one who is learned and trustworthy.

 

O Ahmad, Allah does not show mercy to men or women who are harsh and unjust to their spouses. There is no marriage blessed with Allah’s pleasure and love when a man, already married, takes another wife without the knowledge of the first. The law is clear — polygamy is permitted only under certain conditions:

 

First, through an explicit divine command accompanied by clear signs — as has occurred with you and some of your noble forefathers who were honoured by Allah.

Second, when the first wife cannot bear children, with the confirmation of a learned jurist(faqih) and four skilled physicians.

Third, if the first wife has lost her reason (madness).

Fourth, if she suffers from an illness that prevents her from fulfilling her duties as a wife.

Fifth, if the first wife willingly consents— for the protection of her wealth and to prevent her husband from falling into sin.

 

Verily, nothing is more beloved to Allah than a husband who exercises patience, guards his wife’s heart, and avoids other women besides his lawful spouse. Let this be written clearly, so Allah’s laws are made evident to His servants. Men must divorce their second, third, or fourth wives if these conditions are not met, so that they may be spared ignorance and suffering in their graves and the torment of Hell for their arrogance and folly.

 

Or, if they seek reconciliation, they must obtain the consent of their wives and act truthfully. There shall be no worldly or eternal happiness for a man who conceals his marriage (keeps a secret wife), for Allah has prepared for him a sorrowful end filled with prolonged suffering in his grave. This is the law ordained by Allah — let men pay heed to it.

 

O Ahmad, I, Balya bin Malkan, have witnessed your patience amidst the anger of those deceived by the words of the envious. Indeed, your noble grandfather shed tears of tenderness when Allah revealed your story to him, seeing the many trials, slanders, and humiliations you have endured. Allah allowed me to hear in a dream your grandfather’s words:

 

 “O MY WISE BROTHER BALYA, NO WOUND FROM THE SWORD OF THIS WORLD IS MORE PAINFUL THAN FOUR WOUNDS IN MY HEART — THE NEWS OF MY UNCLE’S DEATH, THE MARTYRDOM OF MY TWO JEWELS HASAN AND HUSAYN, THE PASSING OF IBRAHIM BIN MUHAMMAD, AND THE STORY OF MY AHMAD. CONVEY TO MY AHMAD THAT I, MUHAMMAD, SHALL ALWAYS WATCH OVER HIM AND DEFEND HIM, AND ALLAH SHALL ALWAYS PROTECT AND GUIDE HIM WITH CLEAR SIGNS.”

 

O Ahmad, have not many people witnessed, in the place you are building, a tree that pleaded with you not to have its branches cut down? The trees prayed to Allah to bear much sweet fruit for you, and some promised to grow more leaves to bring shade and coolness to your land. Indeed, the tree bore fruit within fourteen days — though before that, there was no sign of fruiting. You and your first wife must pick and eat from it, even just a little, so that the tree may no longer grieve when you are near. Do not disappoint the creatures of Allah in their joy, for such kindness is among the traits inherited from your noble grandfather, Prophet Muhammad.

 

O Ahmad, let your first wife be patient. She was not alone that night — Allah decreed goodness upon her and was near to her that very night. Your noble grandfather Muhammad poured his prayers upon her. Indeed, had she been patient that night, the noble Prophet would have appeared in her dream. Surely, the light of the noble Prophet Muhammad cannot reach the souls of Allah’s servants who sleep with anger and whose hearts are veiled by the whispers of Satan.”

 

— Ahmad F. Bin Abdullah A. Syams —