Cairo: Hani Kamal El Din
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims in Russia has announced its approval of religious polygamy in accordance with Islamic Sharia law. This development, reported on Thursday, December 19, by the news outlet “Podium,” allows Muslim men to enter into up to four religious marriages under specific conditions.
Moscow’s Mufti, Ildar Alyautdinov, stated that this decision aligns with Islamic principles and aims to address particular circumstances faced by Muslim families. According to Alyautdinov, men will be permitted to marry multiple wives provided they treat all spouses with fairness and equality.
“Polygamy is permissible when the wife is unable to conceive due to health reasons, has reached the end of her reproductive years, or for other objective causes, such as incompatibility between the couple,” Alyautdinov explained. He further emphasized that the goal is to provide solutions to familial challenges while upholding the integrity of Islamic teachings.
Alyautdinov also stressed the importance of transparency in such marriages. “It is unacceptable to hide the existence of another wife. If the second wife was not informed about the first and is unwilling to accept the arrangement, she has the right to request the dissolution of the religious marriage (Nikah),” he said.
This announcement follows the topic of polygamy being raised during President Vladimir Putin’s annual “Direct Line” program, a live Q&A session combined with a major press conference. Online commentators humorously speculated that the question could have been submitted by Ivan Sukhov, a Moscow resident known for his unconventional lifestyle. Sukhov lives in a three-room apartment with three wives and fourteen children and had recently given a detailed interview about his family’s daily life.
The decision has sparked widespread discussions in both social and media circles regarding its potential impact on Russian society. Proponents argue that this move reflects respect for cultural and religious diversity, while critics express concerns about possible legal and societal complications.
It is important to note that polygamy remains unrecognized under Russian civil law, with this decision being confined to religious practices. Observers see the move as an effort to accommodate the needs of Russian Muslims who wish to adhere to their faith’s guidelines without contravening local laws.
The discussion has also brought attention to the role of religious institutions in managing family matters and fostering dialogue among Russia’s diverse communities. Religious leaders hope that this measure will strengthen relationships between the Muslim community and other segments of Russian society.
While the decision raises questions about its broader implications, it is evident that it seeks to address specific familial and cultural challenges within the framework of Islamic ethics. Policymakers and religious authorities are expected to provide further clarifications on how the guidelines will be implemented to ensure the rights of all parties involved.
This development highlights the ongoing effort to balance religious traditions with modern societal norms in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Russia. As debates continue, many await detailed guidance from both religious and governmental bodies to understand the full scope and consequences of this initiative.
