Aliran Letter to the Editor
Polygamy, Perlis and Patriarchy
Aliran is deeply concerned with the Perlis government's recent move to do away with the first wife's written consent to make it easier for a Muslim man to take a second wife.
This controversial measure � justified as necessary by the Perlis government to prevent Muslim Malaysian males from crossing into neighbouring Thailand to take advantage of relatively easier marriage procedures � has serious implications for the institution of marriage. It also raises disturbing questions concerning justice, the position of women, and Islam.
Marriage is an important institution in society � something that is acknowledged in Islam and other religious traditions as well. The easing of marriage procedures to take additional wives as proposed by the Perlis government would encourage more men to abuse the vital institution of marriage and make a mockery of the notion of equal partnership in marriage.
Justice would also not be served by such swift marriage procedures: the first wife would be made to play second fiddle in a move that would have far-reaching implications for her and her children. As a wife and human being, she should have an equal say in the future of the marriage � instead of ending up feeling 'used' and discarded, as cautioned by Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat when reminding men of the moral and social obligations of polygamy.
Equally serious is that this blinkered move suggests that some quarters in our society are conveniently overlooking the strict requirements that Islam imposes on Muslim men wanting to marry more than one woman. A Muslim man intending to take more than one wife is expected by his religion to provide equal treatment to his wives - an ideal and strict condition that effectively discourages polygamy. These quarters in our society should also take cognisance of certain harsh and exceptional conditions that existed in ancient times, such as war and famine, under which polygamy was permitted to facilitate the larger social obligation of taking care of widows and orphans.
Such provisions, therefore, do not confer on Muslim men the automatic right to marry almost nonchalantly. Neither should polygamy be the prerogative of ruling politicians as implied by Terengganu state leaders without seriously taking into consideration the moral obligations and responsibilities.
What is also disturbing is that the actions of the Perlis and Terengganu state governments reinforce and reflect sexist attitudes towards women � which are undemocratic, unjust and not in keeping with the best tradition of Islam.
Certain Muslim politicians and religious leaders need to move forward in their thinking so that Islam can be rightly perceived as a religion that concerns itself with larger social issues. Perhaps they could go even further by outlawing polygamy as has been done in countries such as Tunisia based on the Islamic principle that in practice it would be very difficult to maintain equality and fairness in all aspects and therefore the Qur'an really enjoins monogamy.
Dr Mustafa K Anuar
This statement was sent to the local media including The Star, New Straits Times, and The Sun.
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