“Polygamy is permitted in Islam, but only under strict conditions. This is explained in the Quran, in Surah An-Nisa, verse three.” Alya recited the excerpt, then continued. “In Indonesia, polygamy is legal, but it is regulated by the Marriage Law and the Compilation of Islamic Law. Essentially, they state that polygamy is allowed on the condition that the first wife and the religious court both grant permission. There must also be a valid reason—for example, if the wife is unable to fulfill her duties, is ill, or is unable to bear children.
“In conclusion, polygamy is neither an obligation nor an absolute sunnah. It is permitted, but only under certain conditions. Even so, many religious scholars emphasize that true fairness is extremely difficult to achieve, so polygamy is not something to be taken lightly,” Alya explained at length.
“So if someone like me doesn’t want children, Honey Hanan could use that as a reason to marry again?” Maudy narrowed her eyes.
“That depends, Sis. Are you and Honey Hanan ready or not? Polygamy really isn’t easy. My advice is that you should reconsider, Sis. Children are a blessing, you know. Why don’t you want children? I’m sure Honey Hanan wouldn’t intend to marry again if you were willing to have children.”
Alya’s words were perfectly polite, which only made Maudy hate her even more.
“Oh, so you’re blaming me?! You think Honey Hanan has intentions like that because of me?! You two must be in on this together, right? This is just a scheme so you can get married, isn’t it?”
“God forgive me. I absolutely have no intention of doing that, Sis. Becoming a second wife has never been part of my life plans. Today, I’ve decided to end my relationship with Honey Hanan. Honestly, I feel deceived.” Alya glanced at Hanan for a moment, then lowered her gaze again.
“Alya, I’m sorry. I—”
“What, Honey! You still want to marry her, okay?” Maudy glared sharply.
“That’s not what I mean, babe, but—”
“But what, okay?!”
“Honey Hanan, Sis. I’m sorry, but if you two want to argue, you should do it somewhere else.”
“You dare kick us out, okay?! You bitch! You’ve already become a homewrecker, and now you’re acting superior!”
“Babe, enough. Alya’s right. We should leave.”
“Oh, please! Be quiet, Honey!”
“Okay, Alya! Do you think there’s anything wrong with me choosing a childfree principle?”
Alya slowly shook her head. “For a Muslim woman, choosing a childfree principle depends on her intentions, reasons, and agreement with her partner. If she has no sharia-compliant reason and is rejecting her natural disposition, then it tends to be impermissible or discouraged. If there’s a strong reason, such as physical or mental health concerns, trauma, and so on, and both partners agree, then it may be permitted. If there’s no agreement between the partners, it can become grounds for annulling the marriage contract. Why don’t you want children, Sis?”
“Why are you asking me all these questions?! That’s my business!” Maudy snapped.
She didn’t like being in this woman’s house herself. Yet something made her want to stay longer. She had no idea what it was.
“Sis, isn’t the primary purpose of marriage in Islam to build a family and continue the bloodline? The Prophet, peace be upon him, also once said: ‘Marry loving and fertile women, for I will take pride in the large number of my followers on the Day of Resurrection.’ (Narrated by Abu Dawud.) Islam also views children as a blessing and a trust from Allah. Many verses and hadiths show that descendants are part of Allah’s grace, such as the passage in Surah Ash-Shura.” Alya recited an excerpt from that surah.
“Oh, please! My ears are burning listening to your endless sermon. Here’s the point! You said polygamy is allowed if there’s a reasonable cause. I still don’t want children! Besides, Honey Hanan initially agreed with me, but he changed his mind because he met you!”
“Babe, why are you blaming her? I changed my mind not because of Alya, but because I really do want children. What’s wrong with that, okay? Alya said that if the partners don’t agree, it can become grounds for annulling the marriage contract.”
“Oh, so you’re happy with that explanation, okay?”
“If you two have nothing left to discuss, please leave. I want to rest.”
“Alya, I need to talk to you,” Hanan stopped her.
“I can’t, Honey. Just pretend we never met.” Alya rose, intending to leave the married couple in the living room.
“Hey, Alya! Don’t act so hard to get! You’re happy, aren’t you? You’ve destroyed my marriage!”
“You can’t keep blaming me, Sis. I’m a victim here too. Honestly, I feel deceived.”
“Alya, I never meant to deceive you.”
“Enough, Honey. I don’t want to be a thorn in someone else’s marriage.”
“How about this, Alya? What if I’m willing to share my husband? Would you marry my husband?” Maudy asked, leaving Hanan stunned.
Why all of a sudden? Hadn’t she stubbornly refused to share her husband? Had Maudy changed her mind after seeing how gentle and soft-spoken Alya was? Hanan wondered.