There is no contradiction in the verses regarding plural marriage
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Question: A noble verse in the Noble Qur'an regarding plural marriage states: [Surah al-Nisa: 3]. In another place, Allah the Exalted says: [Surah al-Nisa: 129]. The first verse conditions marriage with more than one woman on justice, while the second clarifies that the condition of justice is impossible. Does this mean that the first verse is abrogated and one should not marry except one woman, because the condition of justice is impossible? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer: There is no contradiction between the two verses, and neither abrogates the other. The justice commanded is what is possible, namely justice in division and financial maintenance. As for justice in love and its concomitants, such as sexual intercourse and the like, this is not possible, and it is what is intended in the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surah al-Nisa: 129]. For this reason, it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to divide between his wives and be just, and he would say: Sunan Abi Dawud 2134 It was narrated by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah, and it was graded authentic by Ibn Hibban and al-Hakim. And success is from Allah.
But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one
فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةًAnd you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]
وَلَنْ تَسْتَطِيعُوا أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْAnswer: There is no contradiction between the two verses, and neither abrogates the other. The justice commanded is what is possible, namely justice in division and financial maintenance. As for justice in love and its concomitants, such as sexual intercourse and the like, this is not possible, and it is what is intended in the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]
وَلَنْ تَسْتَطِيعُوا أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْO Allah, this is my division concerning what I control, so do not blame me concerning what You control and I do not.
اللهم هذا قسمي فيما أملك، فلا تلمني فيما تملك ولا أملك
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.