At the dawn of history, multiple marriages were indeed part of a complex cultural and social process, where norms seemed to be dictated by religious canons.

A Shift Towards Monogamy: Reevaluating Polygamy in Arab Societies

At the dawn of history, multiple marriages were indeed part of a complex cultural and social process, where norms seemed to be dictated by religious canons. However, over time a critical reevaluation of this practice emerged when it became clear that its origins were more a reflection of human passions than an indisputable divine decree. In response to attempts by proponents of polygamy to justify it as a solution for social and demographic dilemmas, modern research points to the inadequacy of such arguments, demonstrating that the demographic imbalance and moral issues require a deeper analysis. Moreover, historical experience shows that polygyny has never become a widespread norm in all Muslim societies – its practice remains limited in certain Arab countries, whereas in regions such as Turkey, Syria, or even among Russian Muslims, monogamy prevails. The outcome of this evolutionary process has been a shift toward more transparent, equitable, and sustainable marital relationships that meet modern demands and contribute to building a society in which the rights and dignity of women come first.

How did historical and cultural reasons lead to a ban on polygamy, especially in the context of Arab societies?

Historically and culturally, the ban on polygamy in Arab societies is linked to several factors that reflect a rethinking of traditional norms and a critical evaluation of the original justifications for the practice. Initially, the permission to have up to four wives—as indicated in the Quran (for example, in verse 4:3)—was understood not as a direct divine command, but rather as a result of human choice driven by sensual motives. One source states:
"The Quran permits a man to have four wives (4:3). This decree demonstrates not a divine but a human origin of Islam. The primary motive—sensual—is clearly evident. Muhammad himself had more wives than the number prescribed in the Quran..." (source: link txt)

Over time, criticism of this stance intensified, especially when supporters of polygamy attempted to justify it on the grounds of addressing moral, demographic, and social problems. However, such arguments are refuted by both logical reasoning and statistical data, showing that demographic imbalances cannot be so easily explained, and that the situation in Islamic countries is considerably more complex. For example, the following excerpt explains:
"One sometimes marvels at how elastic human logic can be when attempting to justify any imperfection. Modern defenders of Islam try to prove that polygamy is the best form of family structure for addressing moral, demographic, and social issues. They claim that polygamy is necessary because there are significantly more women than men in society... The claim of moral advantages of polygamy is false." (source: link txt)

Finally, historical experience indicates that in practice, polygamy in the Islamic world was not as widespread as one might assume. In particular, this practice was predominantly observed in some Arab countries, while in other regions—such as Turkey, Syria, or even among Russian Muslim communities—it is practically non-existent or only very rarely encountered. This suggests that cultural and social norms, along with the status of women in marital relationships, played a significant role in gradually transitioning away from polygamy in favor of monogamous models that promote greater stability and fairness between spouses. As one account emphasizes:
"Polygamy in the Islamic world is rarely widespread. It is characteristic mainly of Arab countries. It is practically nonexistent in Turkey, Syria, or among Russian Muslims. How firmly is the status of women in Muslim marriages established, and how high is the barrier to obtaining a divorce? A man can abandon a woman for almost any reason..." (source: link txt)

Thus, the historical and cultural reasons for abandoning polygamy in Arab societies are rooted in a critical reassessment of traditional distortions, an acknowledgment that its origins were driven by human rather than divine motives, and considerations linked to socio-demographic realities—ultimately leading to a transition toward more transparent and equitable marital relationships.