The story of a man from Uganda who married three women on the same day earlier this month is causing quite the stir on Arab social media.
According to Pulse Nigeria, the 50-year-old man identified as Mohammed Ssemanda, held the function because he lacks the financial ability to hold three separate ceremonies.
During the wedding ceremony, Ssemanda renewed his marriage contract to one of his brides, Salamat Naluwugge, who he had married 20 years ago, and also wed two sisters, 27-year-old Jameo Nakayiza and 24-year-old Mastulah Nakayiza.
Speaking to a local reporter, Ssemanda, a food vendor in a Kampala suburb, said:
"My wives are not jealous of each other. Good enough, each one has got a home and I promise to work harder and support them."
His first wife, also spoke to reporters, adding:
"I thank our husband for marrying us all at once; it is a sign that he will not discriminate or take sides with any of us."
While many on social media criticized Ssemanda, saying that Islam forbids men from marrying sisters, Sheikh Swaleh Mugenyi who performed the marriage rituals, assured that "it was not against Islam," Nigeria Pulse wrote.
The story has gone viral among Arab tweeps
Some were all for the man's decision
"Mashallah, may God bless them and let's hope more things like this happen in our region."
Others were completely against it
"This is disgusting."
"Islam has nothing to do with this, he married 2 sisters"
In Islam, polygamy is only permissible under a tight frame of conditions
In Islam, taking more than one wife is only permissible under a very tight frame of conditions
In countries across the Arab world, many believe that Islam unconditionally allows for men to be married to more than one woman at a time.
The issue is still a matter of great debate across the region and stories of polygamous weddings/marriages often go viral on Twitter and other social media platforms.
However, every time polygamy comes up on social media, several users highlight an important fact that many seem to simply 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 almost impossible to attain, even when conditions for it apply.