A Study on Polygyny Phenomenon of Lebanese Muslims
Ahn, Jung-Kook
Myongji University
This study was done mainly through survey research. Nevertheless, It was impossible to obtain any kind of list of polygamous people and their addresses. On this account, a probability sampling couldn't be applied. Instead of it, the researcher used Snowball sampling. He acquired personal information of study samples from Mukhtārs of each local communities, then visited the samples to their own houses.
Permission of plural marriage in Islam is based on a Quranic verse; "If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one"(4: 3).
In fact, the whole question of permissibility of plural marriages in Islam is tied to a given man's ability to deal justly with all his wives in terms of his time and wealth. To ensure that fairness and justice, the husband must have sufficient economic means to provide adequate food, clothing and other necessities of life to each of them; each of the wives must be provided with a separate house of her own.
The survey has found that 0.8% of men who ever married have more than two wives. But if we restrict it within Muslims, it rises to 1.2%.
And the survey shows that the husbands have been married to the second wife and the third because 'the Islamic law permitted it'(72.3%), simply 'wanted more than a wife'(26.7%), 'strong sexual ability', 'sufficient economic ability', 'feud between husband and wife'.
Polygyny, as a social security system in the Islamic ideal can hardly be found in the realities of life.
A Study on Polygyny Phenomenon of Lebanese Muslims
Ahn, Jung-Kook
Myongji University
This study was done mainly through survey research. Nevertheless, It was impossible to obtain any kind of list of polygamous people and their addresses. On this account, a probability sampling couldn't be applied. Instead of it, the researcher used Snowball sampling. He acquired personal information of study samples from Mukhtārs of each local communities, then visited the samples to their own houses.
Permission of plural marriage in Islam is based on a Quranic verse; "If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one"(4: 3).
In fact, the whole question of permissibility of plural marriages in Islam is tied to a given man's ability to deal justly with all his wives in terms of his time and wealth. To ensure that fairness and justice, the husband must have sufficient economic means to provide adequate food, clothing and other necessities of life to each of them; each of the wives must be provided with a separate house of her own.
The survey has found that 0.8% of men who ever married have more than two wives. But if we restrict it within Muslims, it rises to 1.2%.
And the survey shows that the husbands have been married to the second wife and the third because 'the Islamic law permitted it'(72.3%), simply 'wanted more than a wife'(26.7%), 'strong sexual ability', 'sufficient economic ability', 'feud between husband and wife'.
Polygyny, as a social security system in the Islamic ideal can hardly be found in the realities of life.