WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
Eastern nations in plural marriage. His compatriots also practised polygamy.
When had the custom been forbidden? Therefore, under the approval of Allah, plurality of wives was plainly permissible. The faithful were instructed that they might take "two, or three, or four, and not more women as wives." Provision was made also for the ancient practice of concubinage. The possession of all women captured in battle, or obtained by purchase, was allowed.
Divorce being sanctioned by the law of the Koran, a devout Moslem is empowered to marry a succession of women; although the number at one time is restricted to four. In the sacred writings, it is laid down that a man may dismiss and repudiate his wives without always showing a definite cause. On the other hand, legal separation, even for adultery, is not so easy as it appears.
Mohammed, whose first occupation was that of a camel driver to a wealthy widow, Khadija, was himself the husband of eleven wives, though not all at the same time, during the years of his mission. His mistress, Khadija, was his first spouse, and he had no other during her life. Special revelations were granted to the prophet as divine sanction for his excess in the number of his wives. But we must not suppose that Mohammed was exceptionally voluptuous. He
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