POLYGYNY IN ISLAM: A REMARKABLE PHENOMENON AMONG NIGERIAN MUSLIM LEADERS IN OJO LOCAL GOVERMENT AREA, LAGOS STATE
Abstract
Abstract: Polygyny which is a form of marriage where men have more than one wife at a time is constitutionally backed by the Islamic law provided the person involved put into consideration all the conditions guiding its practice and permissibility. However, despite the clear injunctions of the Qur’ān on it, certain individuals and groups from among the Muslim and non-Muslim elites have either suggested ways of restricting it practices or total eradication due to the perceived injustice they claimed it has created. It is in the light of this that this paper examines this phenomenon among the Muslim leaders in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State. The paper employed the use of interviews, observations and focus group discussions as means of data collection. It then presents the key issues emanating from plural marriages such as maintenance of wife and family, justice, competiveness among wives, necessary love and mutual cooperation between children, division of time between them among others. The paper finally makes suggestions on how to improve about the practice of polygyny in our contemporary time.
Keywords: Polygyny, Muslim, leaders, Ojo, Reality, Marriage
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