Sura-4 [Al Nissa Medina 92]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
وَلَن
تَسْتَطِيعُواْ
أَن
تَعْدِلُواْ
بَيْنَ
النِّسَاء
وَلَوْ
حَرَصْتُمْ...
4:129. Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire:
... فَلاَ تَمِيلُواْ كُلَّ الْمَيْلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَالْمُعَلَّقَةِ...
but turn not away (from a woman) altogether so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air).
C639. In this material world there are two principle causes of division between man and wife,
- money and
- "the other woman" or "the other man".
Money was dealt with in the last verse. Here is the case of "the other woman". Legally more than one wife (up to four) are permissible on the condition that the man can be fair and just to all.
But this is a condition almost impossible to fulfil. If, in the hope that he might be able to fulfil it, a man puts himself in that impossible position, it is only right to insist that he should not discard one but at least fulfil all the outward duties that are incumbent on him in respect of her.
... وَإِن تُصْلِحُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿١٢٩﴾
If ye come to a friendly understanding and practice self-restraint, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Asad’s Version:
4: 129 And it will not be within your power to treat your wives with equal fairness, however much you may desire it [note 147]: and so, do not allow yourselves to include towards one to the exclusion of the other, leaving her in a state, as it were, of having and not having a husband [note 148]. But if you put things to rights and are conscious of Him – behold, God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
Other versions:
Yusuf Ali Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women even if it is your ardent desire: but turn not away (from a woman) altogether so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air). If ye come to a friendly understanding and practice self-restraint Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
Pickthall Ye will not be able to deal equally between (your) wives, however much ye wish (to do so): But turn not altogether away (from one), leaving her as in suspense. If ye do good and keep from evil, lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
Transliteration Wa lan tastati'u_ an ta'dilu_ bainan nisa_'i wa lau harastum fala_ tamilu_ kullal maili fatazaru_ha_ kal mu'allaqah(ti), wa in tuslihu_ wa tattaqu_ fa innalla_ha ka_na gafu_rar rahima_(n).
[[ Ruby’s notes – I think what is conveyed is that a man cannot love or like all his wives equally, it is natural to have different degrees of inclinations. However, a man must treat them equally and his behavior must be fair and equitable. This would be done as a duty towards God. However, if one thinks it would be difficult for him to behave that way, he should not marry more than one. This is I think an recommendation for monogamy. Polygamy is accepted in Islam in consideration of the predisposition or nature of man and woman and particular situations where it justifies it or necessities it, however, in other majority of situations a man should stay away from practicing polygamy in marriage because that would put him is a spot to commit injustice and unfairness to other human beings. The Quran is alluding to this serious problem of polygamy. Therefore, I think the Quran is recommending monogamy. ]]
[[ Asad’s note 147 – This refers to case where a man has more than one wife – a permission which is conditional upon his determination and ability to “treat them with equal fairness”, as laid down in verse 3 of this surah. since a man who is fully conscious of his moral responsibility might feel that he is committing a sin if he loves one of his wives more than the other (or others), the above verse provides a “judicial enlightenment” on this point by making it clear that feelings are beyond a human being’s control: in other words, that the required equality of treatment relates only to outward behavior towards and practical dealings with one’s wives. However, in view of the fact that a man’s behavior towards another person is, in the long run, almost inevitably influenced by what he feels about that person, the above passage - read in conjunction with verse3, and especially its concluding sentence – imposes a moral restriction on plural marriages.
148 - ..implying thereby an exclusion of the other form all affection – “leaving her, as it were, in suspense (ka’l mu'allaqah)”….. ]]
[[ Ali’s note -
639 In this material world there are two principle causes of division between man and wife, money and "the other woman" or "the other man". Money was dealt with in the last verse. Here is the case of "the other woman". Legally more than one wife (up to four) are permissible on the condition that the man can be fair and just to all. (4.129)]]