THE WILLINGNESS OF WOMEN

8. Polygamy and Islam ~ 188 ~ This happened in Medina, the capital of the Islamic State. Among the rejected suitors was the reigning Caliph. But no one expressed even surprise or dismay, the reason being that in Islam, a woman is completely free to make her own decisions. This is a right that no one can take away from her — not even the ruler of the day. These incidents show that the Islamic commandments giving permission to many up to four women does not mean having the right to seize four women and shut them up inside one’s home. Marriage is a matter of mutual consent. Only that woman can be made a second or a third wife who is willing to be so. And when this matter rests wholly on the willingness of the woman, there is no cause for objection. The present age gives great importance to freedom of choice. This value is fully supported by Islamic law. On the other hand, the upholders of “feminism” want to turn freedom of choice into restriction of choice. 158. Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, 7/153.