Polygamy of the Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) and Orientalists: In the Light of Ẓiā-un-Nabī by Pīr Karam Shāh Al-Azharī

تعدّ دِازواج ِرسول ﷺ اور مستشرقین:ضیاء النبیﷺ از پیر کرم شاہ الازہری ؒکی روشنی میں

Abstract

This study examines the objections raised by Orientalist scholars regarding the polygamous marriages of Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) and offers a detailed analysis of these critiques through the lens of Pīr Karam Shāh Al-Azharī’s work, Ẓiā-un-Nabī. The 20^th century marked a significant period during which Western Orientalists extensively wrote about Islam and the life of the Prophet (ﷺ), often aiming to cast doubt on his exemplary character. Among their criticisms, the Prophet’s practice of polygamy has been a central focus. Orientalists argue that polygamy, as permitted by Islamic teachings, is a desire-driven principle and allege an inconsistency in the Prophet’s personal application of the Qur’ānic limit on the number of wives. This research contextualizes these objections, exploring the socio-religious purposes of polygamy and providing a nuanced response based on the interpretations of Pīr Karam Shāh Al-Azharī. By critically engaging with his scholarly commentary, the article seeks to reconcile these objections while highlighting the ethical and societal dimensions underpinning the Prophet’s marriages.