⚖️ Polygyny: rulings & justice · #45
Why did the Prophet not allow Sayyidina Ali to take another wife while he was married to Fatimah?
The Prophet ﷺ did not forbid polygyny, but stressed that the daughter of the Messenger of Allah and the daughter of the enemy of Allah would never be brought together under one man.
When Ali r.a. intended to propose to the daughter of Abu Jahl, the Prophet ﷺ gave a sermon saying that Fatimah was a part of him, and that whatever hurt her also hurt him; he did not forbid what is lawful, but the two women would never be brought together (Sahih al-Bukhari 3729; narrated by Muslim). Scholars explain that this was a special case tied to the person of the Prophet ﷺ and the threat of trial to Fatimah's faith. The lesson: the emotional effect on a wife and family must be taken seriously. See Ruling on polygyny.
When Ali r.a. intended to propose to the daughter of Abu Jahl, the Prophet ﷺ gave a sermon saying that Fatimah was a part of him, and that whatever hurt her also hurt him; he did not forbid what is lawful, but the two women would never be brought together (Sahih al-Bukhari 3729; narrated by Muslim). Scholars explain that this was a special case tied to the person of the Prophet ﷺ and the threat of trial to Fatimah's faith. The lesson: the emotional effect on a wife and family must be taken seriously. See Ruling on polygyny.
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 3729 — the story of Ali and Abu Jahl's daughterSahih Muslim — the story of Ali and Abu Jahl's daughter