Hafiz Imad ad-Din Isma'il ibn Umar ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) (died 774 AH), the famous commentator, hadith scholar and historian. His tafsir is known as 'Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim'.

Did Ibn Kathir say more than four wives is forbidden?

Yes, he discussed it with evidence from the Sunnah and stated the limit of four and presented it as part of the general understanding of the Ummah.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Summary of the Discussion of Surah An-Nisa 4:3

In tafsir literature, Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim (Ibn Kathir) is a book that is the most widely read in the line of tafsir bil-ma'thur (tafsir based on the Qur'an, hadith and the statements of the Companions and Tabi'un).

تَفْسِيرُ الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيمِ — لِلْحَافِظِ ابْنِ كَثِيرٍ

Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

Note: A summary in our own words is given here; see the original tafsir for details.

Ibn Kathir's method

First explaining a verse with the verses of the Qur'an.
Then authentic hadith.
Then the statements of the Companions and Tabi'un.
Comments on chains and weak narrations.
The gist in concise language.

What is in the discussion of verse 4:3

The original text of the verse: Explanation of Surah An-Nisa 4:3.

1. The context of revelation

The incident narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) of marrying an orphan girl with a low mahr, which is in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim. It makes clear that the first aim of the verse is protecting the rights of the weak.

2. "Mathna, thulatha, ruba'"

The numbers are not a sum but alternative limits; and there is no permission to keep more than four at one time — this is the well-established understanding of the Ummah. See also Can a man keep more than four wives?.

3. The condition of justice

In the verse itself there is the instruction of one wife if there is a fear of being unable to be just. He points out the importance of reading it together with the explanation of verse 4:129 (The answer to the misconception about 4:129).

4. The explanation of 'alla ta'ulu'

In explaining the last part of the verse, several views of the commentators are narrated — such as avoiding injustice / leaning to one side, or the matter of the family burden growing. Which view is preferred is better seen in the original tafsir with the evidence.

5. The Prophet's special rulings

Certain rulings specific to the Prophet ﷺ (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:50) do not apply to the general Ummah — this matter has come up in the discussions of jurists and commentators (The marriages of the Prophet ﷺ and their wisdom).

Advice for the reader

If reading in a Bengali translation, check the quality and editing of the translation.
For decisions based on the verse, take the help of madhhab-based fiqh books and a mufti (Ma'ariful Qur'an).
Separate guidance is needed for law and social reality (The legal process).

About the author and the work

Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) (approximately 701–774 AH) was a hadith scholar, commentator and historian of Damascus. His history book Al-Bidayah wa'n-Nihayah and Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim are his enduring works. In the tafsir he follows the method of explaining the Qur'an by the Qur'an, then by hadith, then by the statements of the Companions and Tabi'un.

A reading plan for the reader on verse 4:3

First read the translation of the verse and our explanation.
Then open the relevant part in Ibn Kathir's tafsir.
Read the narration of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) (the context of revelation) carefully.
Mark the views about 'alla ta'ulu'.
Check against the tafsir of verse 4:129 (4:129).

Tafsir bil-ma'thur and today's reality

Since Ibn Kathir's tafsir is narrative, it provides the literal and traditional explanation of the verse. Modern social-legal questions (such as Bangladesh's Arbitration Council) will not be found directly here; for them one must see the discussions of contemporary jurists and legal experts (The legal process).

A caution for the Hanafi reader

In Ibn Kathir's tafsir, in some fiqh matters, a leaning of his own or of another madhhab may be seen. Hanafi followers should take the advice of the books of Hanafi fiqh and a mufti for rulings (Al-Hidaya and Radd al-Muhtar).

Advice on using Bengali translations

Bengali translations differ in quality and editing. In one edition some part may be left out; so, where possible, use an edition from a reliable publisher and, if in doubt, check against the Arabic original.

Read also: The Islamic ruling on multiple marriages. If you have questions, contact us.