WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
Besides possessing these heavenly spouses, a man may renew his marriage with the wives who have preceded him into elysium. To the Mohammedan woman, Paradise offers no such allurements. She will dwell there as she dwelt on earth, one of many wives.
The man translated to eternal bliss will live in a tent spangled with the costliest jewels, and will eat his delicate meals on plates of gold; while his ears are enraptured by the music of Israfeel, "whose heart-strings are a lute." He will not experience satiety in sensual pleasures. If he pleases, he may beget children. Wine of the most luscious vintage will be his daily beverage, and he may drink of it freely.
Modern exponents of the teaching of Mohammed state that the prophet taught equality between men and women in married life. The salient rights of women under Moslem law are as follows:—[1]
Chastity is enjoined upon men as well as women.
Every wife has her own dower, servants and apartments.
The marriage settlement must be returned in full upon divorce or separation.
At the death of the husband, wife recovers all of her dower and part of her husband's estate.
- ↑ See Syed Ameer Ali's contribution to "The Dictionary of Islam."
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