⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #52
May a man take another wife because he wants a son, when his wife has only had daughters?
It is legally permissible if the condition of justice is met, but the reason contradicts the Quran's view of daughters and often stems from misunderstanding.
Allah condemns the pre-Islamic attitude of darkening one's face at news of a daughter's birth (an-Nahl 16:58–59), and affirms that He grants daughters or sons to whom He wills (ash-Shura 42:49–50). The baby's sex also does not depend on the wife. The Prophet ﷺ promised Paradise to fathers who raise daughters well. If the real concern is inheritance or the family name, there are other means such as gifts and estate planning. A polygamous marriage on this ground may also be hard for the court to accept as "just and necessary". See the question on inheritance with only daughters.
Allah condemns the pre-Islamic attitude of darkening one's face at news of a daughter's birth (an-Nahl 16:58–59), and affirms that He grants daughters or sons to whom He wills (ash-Shura 42:49–50). The baby's sex also does not depend on the wife. The Prophet ﷺ promised Paradise to fathers who raise daughters well. If the real concern is inheritance or the family name, there are other means such as gifts and estate planning. A polygamous marriage on this ground may also be hard for the court to accept as "just and necessary". See the question on inheritance with only daughters.