Since I'm a strong believer of (but unfortunately can't practice) plural marriage, I thought to highlight one Malay man's success in doing so.We'll come to that later.
First, some questions.- Why is plural marriages only allowed in Islam?
- Why can't the individual have freedom and choice in deciding for him/herself rather than allowing the community and religion to decide?
- Doesn't the common law allow for a man and woman to marry? Does the same law discriminate or disallow a man or woman to marry multiple times?
We're now living in the 21st century. Time has passed by, the world has changed, advanced. Our minds have become more intelligent and creative. Yet, there are some traditional norms still floating around.Norms that are good, or not good, for us.
Plural marriage is one of them. Although we look the same, irrespective of our colour or race or gender, our minds are unique. No one man has the same thought than the other. So, some of us may accept plural marriages, while some others may not. Those who do not agree to it, should just keep it to themselves and not discriminate or disallow those who accept such unions.
Take same-sex marriages for instance. These foks had fought and spoken for their rights and now what do we have? A few countries (especially in the West) are allowing these marriages to take place.Some religions had tried to disallow it but to no success. All these folks need is a registrar.
So, why not with plural marriages? What's the problem with that?
I will certainly agree if any government would come up guidelines that must be strictly followed for plural marriages. These should include;
- legal marriage age should be 18
- consent from both partners
- fairness and shared costs among partners
- freedom to practice one's religion and respect of others
- divorce/separation solved amicably and peacefully
- etc. etc.
Saying that, I truly hope that the issue of plural marriages will receive its much awaited share of acceptance in law and religion. But if not with religions, at least the common law should allow this form of marriage to take place. If not, let's make do without same-sex marriages.
Now, here's the success story (source: The Star, June 9, 2008).
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Man gets nod from wives and court to marry No 4
By R.S.N. MURALI
KUALA TERENGGANU: A property negotiator has received the blessings of his three wives to wed his newfound sweetheart who is 30 years younger than him. The Syariah High Court approved the application of Abu Bakar Embong, 54, after it found that the father of 25 had met all the prerequisites under Islamic law to take a fourth wife.
Judge Shaikh Ahmad Ismail granted Abu Bakar, who also has three grandchildren, permission to take Suhaili Alias, 25, as his wife.
Shaikh Ahmad advised Abu Bakar to be fair to all his wives, tend to the religious needs of his children, and take his three wives on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Abu Bakar had fathered 11 boys and 14 girls from his three marriages, with the youngest being four months old and the eldest 25 years old.
“The court had considered the affidavit submitted by Abu Bakar, where he stated that he earned RM20,000 a month and had provided houses and cars for each of his wives,” the judge added. “Therefore, with consent from his wives, the court allows Abu Bakar to marry a fourth wife.”
His three wives – Asnah Jusoh, 46, Mazumi Ismail, 45, and Norazlina Ariffin, 25, – all from Kampung Telok Manir here, also told the court that they had no qualms about their husband marrying another.
The wives later told reporters that their husband was a loving, fair and responsible man and they had arranged for him to marry Suhaili, who is unemployed. When met, Abu Bakar said there was no secret to keeping all his wives happy, but he believed in treating them equally.
“As long as I can afford another wife and am strong, I don’t see why I can’t marry,” added Abu Bakar, who married his first wife at the age of 19.
Recently, the same court had deferred its decision on an application by lorry driver Mohamed Nor Awang, 57, to marry for the fourth time. It was not convinced he could financially support another wife.
Mohamed had already obtained the nod from his three wives to marry clerk Suzi Sulong, 34.
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toy Charlie - and we've got the pictures.If Charlie looks a little young for Linda, there may be something to that - he's 19 years old. If you're wondering where Linda dug him up - he used to clean H
ulk's boats. What a catch!The new couple was seen partying last night in Las Vegas at the grand opening of the new Palms Place night club. While Charlie told a reporter from TMZ.com that he and Linda are "just friends", they were said to be all over eachother and dancing up a storm. Cougar-iffic!
