Polygamy is a >controversial issue that often sparks >heated debates on social media platforms across the Arab world.
There are societies across the region that are pro-polygamy, with some demanding it be >made compulsory. However, the phenomenon is becoming >culturally unacceptable among many in the region, including Saudis.
Earlier this week, tweeps in the kingdom launched the hashtag "Saudis refuse polygamy" to express their views on the matter.
"Saudis against polygamy."
A few tweeps who are pro-polygamy chimed in at first
And shared their so-called "advice" for women
"I advise girls to read this book so they realize polygamy is a blessing for everyone."
But many Saudis were having none of it
"I was shocked when I saw the reactions to this."
"As a human being, I refuse to accept polygamy"
"And if he's going to marry someone else, he must leave me once and for all."
"You want multiple wives yet complain about electricity and gas bills"
"We strongly refuse polygamy, no one can treat more than one wife equally"
Many Saudi women oppose polygamy
"So many people are suffering because of polygamy."
Some hit back with humor
"#SaudisRefusePolygamy
The tribe: ..."
"Men right now"
"Short sad story"
Some pointed out this irony
"If we talk to him he'll say 'shari'a allowed four wives.' Go pray in the mosque before saying this."
"The only thing men know about religion is polygamy"
"There are so many other women's rights they just ignore."
In Islam, polygamy is only permissible under a tight frame of conditions
In countries across the Arab world, many >believe Islam unconditionally allows for men to be married to more than one woman at a time.
However, every time >polygamy comes up on social media, several users highlight an important fact that many seem to ignore or forget: In Islam, taking more than one wife is only permissible under a very tight frame of conditions.
The religion >first allowed polygamy for the sake of widows and orphans who had no means of survival. The only >Quranic verse that speaks about polygamy is believed to have been revealed after the >Battle of Uhud, which led to the death of many Muslim men who left behind families in need of support.
The Quran clearly states that a man can only marry more than one woman if he treats her and all his other wives "equally."
"But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one," Surat An-Nisaa states. The surah then decrees: "You will never be able to be equal between wives, even if you should strive to do so."
This makes Islam-approved polygamy near impossible to attain, even when conditions for it apply.