The Wisdom Behind Plural Marriage

Question:
Plural marriage is something Allah legislated for men. What is the wisdom behind it? If a man marries a second wife, the first wife becomes upset, and some problems arise that may lead to permanent separation, despite the presence of children who need their mother and father. What is your advice to the man and the woman in this regard?

Answer:
Plural marriage is something Allah legislated for His servants, provided they have the ability to do so. It contains many benefits for both men and women:
One of them is that a single woman may not be sufficient to satisfy a man’s desire. He may have a strong or intense desire, such that one woman does not satisfy him, nor do two, nor three. So Allah provided him with a lawful path to chaste himself through up to four women.
And among that is also: what is in the enjoyment of the four [wives] of satisfying one's desire, contentment of the soul, and staying away from lewd acts, for this helps him to lower his gaze and keep his distance from what Allah has forbidden.
Also included in this is the chastening of people. Not every woman can find a man exclusively for herself. Men may be fewer in number than women, especially during times of war, and especially in the end times, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us. It is a mercy from Allah that a man may have four wives, so that he may chaste four women and provide for four. In this are benefits for the female sex as well, for having a quarter of a husband is better for her than having no husband at all. Having a quarter, a third, or a half is better for her than having nothing. In this is her chastity, and in this is also the provision for her, her protection, and the guarding of her honor.
Among the many benefits is also the children: the existence of children, the increase of offspring, and the multiplication of the Ummah. This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And in another wording: So the existence of offspring and the increase of children in this Ummah is a sought-after and intended matter.
Also included in these other benefits is that when a person marries from here, and from here, and from here, it creates bonds between families, cooperation, affection, and harmony. This increases the connection within the community and the cooperation between a person and his relatives and in-laws, generally. He cooperates with them, and there is a bond of affection and connection between them that helps in matters of both religion and worldly affairs.
We have explained that this is part of the wisdom. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) married from several tribes so that he would aim to spread Islam among them, and for them to cooperate with the Muslims, and to unite their hearts upon Islam due to their kinship through marriage with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) said: [Al-Nisa: 3] So all of this contains benefits for everyone, benefits for both sexes, for men and women, the multiplication of the Ummah, the chastity of private parts, lowering the gaze, and helping to provide for women in need of financial support, the closeness between families, the connection between families, and the affection between all. So the benefits are many, as you have heard some of them.
It is obligatory for women to be patient with their co-wife and rival wife. It is obligatory for the woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to be patient, and to know that this is a right of the husband, and that it is not permissible for her to do what is not appropriate when a second wife exists, as long as he is just and fulfills the rights. So she must be patient, and it is not permissible for her to be repelled by it, or to demand divorce. This is not permissible for her as long as the husband has fulfilled the right that is upon him, has divided with justice, and has provided with justice. So she has no right to dispute, or to demand separation, or to harm him until he separates. She should be directed, taught, and guided, and she should equip herself with what is appropriate so that she is clear about the ruling of Allah in this matter.