circumstances, the woman becomes entitled to her dower of ten dirhems or more. Muhammadans are permitted by the Qurán[1] to marry four free women, and to have as many female slaves as he may possess. Marriages for a limited period were sanctioned by "the Prophet"; but this law is said to have been abrogated, although it is allowed by the Shíaʾhs even in the present day. These temporary marriages are called Mutʾah, and are undoubtedly the greatest blot in Muhammad's moral legislation.
Marriage is enjoined upon every Muslim, and celibacy is frequently condemned by Muhammad. The "clergy" are all married men, and even the ascetic orders are, as George Herbert would have said, "rather married than unmarried." It is related in the Hadís, that Muhammad said that, "when the servant of God marries, he perfects half his religion." Not long ago we met a Faqír of the Nukshbandía order, a man of considerable reputation
- ↑ "Of women who seem good in your eyes marry two, or three, or four; and if ye fear that ye shall not act equitably, then one only, or the slaves whom ye have acquired." (Sura iv. 3.)
