What is the Islamic verdict about a woman entering into a simultaneous marriage with two husbands? A young woman recently posted a video on social media in which she declared her intention to marry two men at the same time. She argues that women have the same right as men to marry more than one spouse at the same time. What is your opinion on this issue?

In Islamic law, men and women are regarded as equals in terms of their original creation, human worth, capacity, responsibilities, and in both reward and accountability. Allah Almighty created them from a single origin and from the same clay, without any distinction in essence or natural disposition. Accordingly, neither has any inherent superiority over the other, as all humans trace their lineage to a single father and mother. Allah Almighty says, “And Allah created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop; then He made you mates” (Quran, 35:11).

This equality not necessarily imply that women are equal to men in all aspects and rulings. In fact, Islam offers a more realistic, precise, accurate, and pragmatic perspective on women's physical and psychological characteristics, granting men and women certain rights, duties, and attributes that align with their respective nature.

 

The marriage of one woman to more than one man

Women are not naturally suited for polyandrous marriages, particularly in light of potential consequences, including harm to fundamental interests like the preservation of honor, lineage, and personal safety. Allowing a woman to have more than one husband could also escalate serious conflict or even violence between them. Imam al-Ruwyani, the Shafi’i scholar, notes in Bahr Al-Madhbab (9:122), “It is impermissible for a woman to have two husbands, even though a man may have two wives, because polyandry results in the mixing of the semen and lineage confusion, an issue that does not arise when the man has more than one wife.” In his book I’lam al-Muwaqqi’in (2:65), the Hanbali scholar Ibn al-Qayyim explains this impermissibility saying, “This is part of the perfection of the Lord’s wisdom, kindness, and mercy toward His creation, as well as His concern for their interests … Were it permissible for a woman to have two or more husbands, the world would quickly descend in disorder: lineage would become confused, husbands might come into conflict, calamities would multiply, and strife would escalate. How could a woman manage such quarrelsome partners? How could the men themselves maintain harmony? That the Shari‘ah has prescribed otherwise stands as one of the clearest proofs of the Legislator’s wisdom, mercy, and care of the Legislator for His creation.”

The prohibition of a woman being married to more than one husband is one of the well-established Islamic legal rulings that do not admit ijtihad or interpretation. This is based on the words of Allah Almighty in the context of clarifying the women who are forbidden in marriage, “And [also prohibited to you are all] married women” (Quran, 4:180). Moreover, scholars of the Ummah have unanimously agreed on the prohibition of a woman marrying more than one husband.

 

The ruling

It is impermissible for a woman to marry more than one husband simultaneously. She may remarry when her previous marriage ends by the death of her husband, divorce, or annulment, and only after her waiting period has expired if the marriage was consummated. This is a matter on which there is scholarly consensus.

And Allah Almighty knows best.