⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #22
Why was the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ permitted to marry more than four wives?
It is a particularity (khususiyyah) that Allah gave to the Prophet ﷺ alone, and it does not apply to his community.
Allah SWT mentions the special permission for the Prophet ﷺ in Surah al-Ahzab 33:50, which ends with "for you alone, not for the believers". Then Allah laid down in verse 52 that no more women were lawful for him after that and that he could not exchange his wives. Scholars explain that many of his marriages had wisdom relating to the call to Islam, legislation and uniting tribes, and that most of his wives were widows or divorcees. Muslims remain bound by the limit of four. See The Prophet's ﷺ household.
Allah SWT mentions the special permission for the Prophet ﷺ in Surah al-Ahzab 33:50, which ends with "for you alone, not for the believers". Then Allah laid down in verse 52 that no more women were lawful for him after that and that he could not exchange his wives. Scholars explain that many of his marriages had wisdom relating to the call to Islam, legislation and uniting tribes, and that most of his wives were widows or divorcees. Muslims remain bound by the limit of four. See The Prophet's ﷺ household.
Sources
Surah al-Ahzab 33:50Surah al-Ahzab 33:52Surah an-Nisa' 4:3