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12. POLYGAMY IN THE BIBLE AND THE KORAN
Should a Christian man, who was a Muslim married to several wives, divorce his wives after he becomes a Christian?
Answers to a Question from Nigeria
9. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
How the Koran has Changed God's Old Testament and New Testament Commandments on Monogamy and Polygamy
(by Salam Falaki)
i) SUMMARY OVERVIEW
Here is an overview on how the Koran has changed God's Old Testament and New Testament commandments on monogamy and polygamy:
| | OLD TESTAMENT | NEW TESTAMENT | KORAN |
|---|
CASE 1
Monogamy
(1 man + 1 woman) | Allowed
(Creation standard: becoming one flesh) | Allowed
(Spiritual symbol: Christ and Church) | Allowed
(Contract for physical intercourse) |
|---|
CASE 2 + CASE 3
Remarriage
after death of spouse | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed (Women only after a waiting time) |
|---|
CASE 4 + CASE 5
Remarriage
after divorce | Tolerated
(except for 2 cases) | Forbidden
(except in the case of adultery of a spouse) | Allowed
(Various types) |
|---|
CASE 6
Polygyny
(1 man with several wives) | Tolerated | Not Prohibited | Allowed
(Up to four wives and more concubines) |
|---|
CASE 7 + CASE 8
Adultery
of a man or of a woman | Forbidden
(Punishment: death) | Forbidden
(Punishment: none)
(Extended to lust) | Forbidden
(Punishment: lashes) |
|---|
CASE 9
Polyandry
(1 woman with several men) | Unknown
(Prostitution NO
but present as sin) | Unknown
(Prostitution NO) | Unknown
(Prostitution YES) |
|---|
CASE 10
Polyamory | Forbidden
(Canaanite religious fertility prostitution)
This sin brought Exile | Forbidden
(Greek religious
fertility prostitution)
End times: Babylon | Forbidden
(Arab? religious
fertility prostitution)
Absent in Eschatology |
|---|