Muhammad’s Marriages and Qur’anic Contradictions

A Theological and Ethical Examination

Introduction

The Qur'an claims to be a "fully detailed" (6:114), "clear" (12:1), and "free from contradiction" (4:82) revelation from God. Yet Muhammad's personal life—especially his many marriages—raises serious theological and logical challenges to these claims. This article examines how Muhammad's marital privileges contradict general Qur'anic commands, highlight inconsistencies between various revelations, and expose the ethical and theological dilemmas they create.

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I. The Qur’anic Limit of Four Wives

Qur’an 4:3 sets a clear limit for Muslim men:

"Marry women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly [with them], then only one..." (Qur’an 4:3)

This verse is widely understood to be a universal rule, limiting Muslim men to a maximum of four wives at a time.

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II. Muhammad Had More Than Four Wives

Despite this universal command, authentic Hadiths confirm that Muhammad had more than four wives simultaneously:

"The Prophet used to pass by (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one night, and at that time he had nine wives."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 142)

This stands in direct contradiction to the Qur'anic limit of four, unless a special exemption applies.

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III. Was Muhammad Given a Special Privilege?

Muslim scholars appeal to Qur’an 33:50 as Muhammad's exemption:

"O Prophet! We have made lawful to you: your wives... and any believing woman who offers herself to you, if the Prophet wishes to marry her—a privilege for you only, not for the [rest of] believers..." (Qur’an 33:50)

While this verse identifies certain categories of women permissible to Muhammad, it does not explicitly state that he may exceed the four-wife limit. Instead, it introduces a personal privilege: women offering themselves without a traditional marriage contract or dowry.

Even Muhammad's wife Aisha questioned the nature of these revelations:

"I feel that your Lord hastens in fulfilling your desires."
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6:60:311)

Her comment implies that divine revelation was being used to justify Muhammad's personal wishes.

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IV. Qur’anic Contradiction: 33:50 vs. 33:52

Only two verses later, a new restriction appears:

"It is not lawful for you to marry more women after this, nor to exchange them for other wives..." (Qur’an 33:52)

This seems to contradict the permission granted in 33:50. Classical scholars such as Ibn Kathir and al-Tabari have interpreted these verses as abrogating one another. Yet this raises a problem: if the Qur’an is truly free of contradiction and perfectly clear, why do such internal conflicts require abrogation?

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V. Ethical Dilemma and Double Standards

While Muhammad enjoyed multiple wives, his followers were strictly limited to four. According to sources such as al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, those who had more were forced to divorce the excess. This reveals a troubling double standard: Muhammad could break the very rules he enforced on others.

Further, scholars like al-Qurtubi note that the word "nikah" in 33:50 may refer to sexual intercourse rather than formal marriage. If true, this would allow Muhammad to have sexual access to women who offered themselves, even outside the norms imposed on his followers—a practice strikingly similar to that of concubinage.

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Conclusion: Scripture of Clarity or Contradiction?

If Muhammad contradicted the Qur’an's legal norms and if Allah seemingly altered revelation to accommodate his personal life, then the Qur'an's claim to be a clear, complete, and contradiction-free book collapses. Muslims must confront a serious dilemma: either reject the Hadiths and thereby destabilize Islamic tradition, or admit that the Qur’an contains contradictions—thus undermining its claim of divine perfection.

This theological tension invites critical reflection on the reliability and consistency of Islam's foundational texts.