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268chapter fiveChart 1: Legislation of polygynyNumber of Wives4321Upper limit—in terms of quantity: the ‘quality’ of women (virgin ornot) is not considered here.Lower limit—in terms of quantity: the ‘quality’ of women (virgin ornot) is not considered here.Time (History)Islamic fiqh, due to historical conditions and limitations, has up to nowfollowed a purely quantitative model of legislating polygyny. Today,social change allows us to combine quantitative and qualitative modelsNumber of Wives4321Upper Limit—quantitative and qualitative: only widows (with orwithout children) can be considered for marriage.Lower limit—in terms of quantity: the ‘quality’ of women (virgin ornot) is not considered here.Time (History)The Wives of the Prophet (ß)Some clarifying words are now in order with regards to MuÈammad’s(ß) polygynous marriages (to more than four wives) which has causedenormous irritation amongst the critics of Islam in the past. Whatwe need to consider is that MuÈammad’s (ß) mission took place duringa transition period between two historical epochs of humankind.History has been in two stages: the ages of human civilizations beforeMuÈammad’s (ß) mission and after it. The current age (‘after hismission’) will last until the coming of the Last Hour. Even though