Alhamdulillah, all praise is due to Allah, Who has blessed us with guidance in every aspect of our lives, including marriage.

We thank Him for providing us with a system that upholds fairness, justice, and compassion.

We send blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who exemplified love, patience, and justice in his family life. May Sallah (SWT) enable us to follow his example in all our relationships.

Introduction to Polygamy in Islam

Servants of Allah, today’s khutbah is on Polygamy in Islam – a topic often misunderstood but rich in wisdom and compassion when viewed through the lens of Islamic teachings. Polygamy in Islam is not a mere cultural practice; it is a regulated structure rooted in social responsibility and fairness.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself practiced polygamy under divine instruction, setting an example of responsibility and compassion. Through polygamy, Islam offers solutions to social needs and supports a framework that prioritises justice.

Today, we will explore what Islam says about polygamy, the conditions attached, the responsibilities of the husband, the blessings it brings, and the challenges it may entail.

What does Islam say about Polygamy?

Polygamy is permissible in Islam under specific guidelines aimed at ensuring fairness and justice. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:

“Then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one…” (Qur’an 4:3).

This verse clearly places conditions on the practice of polygamy, allowing it only if the husband can be just and fair. Polygamy is therefore not a right but a responsibility that requires honesty and commitment.

Islam’s allowance for polygamy provides a solution to social circumstances such as caring for widows, orphans, and cases where multiple marriages serve the greater welfare of the community.

The Example of the Prophet (PBUH):

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) practiced polygamy later in his life, and his marriages were largely motivated by social and humanitarian reasons. He married widows, older women, and women who had been previously divorced to provide them with protection, social standing, and support.

His actions illustrate the spirit of compassion and responsibility that underpins polygamy in Islam.

One notable marriage was to Sawda bint Zam’a (RA), an older widow. This marriage provided her with security and respect, highlighting the Prophet’s (PBUH) empathy and commitment to supporting women who were vulnerable or marginalised in society.

References:

•             Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa (4:3, 4:34, 4:129), Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83)

•             Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud (2133), Sunan Tirmidhi (3895)

(To be continued)

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, 1BN – Michel Camp

The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.

He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and men­tor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.

Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.

“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”

He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach pro­gramme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.

He cited testimony-sharing, mentor­ship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.

Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.

The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.

He, therefore, called for more vol­unteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.

Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornogra­phy, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.

That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and re­store these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA