An important report issued by the Central Bureau for Public Census and Statistics revealed that there are four million women in Egypt over the age of thirty, who have never been married. This is especially a cause for concern, as their future is bleak, considering that a great proportion of them are uneducated and have no source of livelihood other than their fathers’ support. Further, in staying single, it is worrying that they may be vulnerable to unlawful temptations, especially since immorality is rife these days.

　　Since Islam is the perfect religion for all times and places, it introduced the solution to a problem like this fourteen centuries ago, by permitting a man to be married to up to four women at the same time, provided that he is just with all of them. In this article, we will attempt to revive this Sunnah of our Prophet, , as a solution for the dilemma of spinsterhood which threatens many Muslim societies and the chastity of our Muslim women.

　　Dr. Su‘aad Saalih, professor of Fiqh in Al-Azhar University, says: “Islam pays great attention to marriage, because it is the cornerstone of the Muslim family. Even historically, human beings have never stopped forming families, as it is part of man's instinct. Hence, due to the importance of the family, [Islam has set] certain foundations upon which it should be built; such as, choosing the right spouse, having an engagement, compatibility, securing consent [of both girl and boy], announcing the marriage, ensuring the presence of a Wali (a woman’s guardian) and conferring dowry. Further, marriage has goals that must be fulfilled, such as achieving tranquility, affection and mercy, and nurturing children, among other family-related goals.”

　　She adds, “These days, the Islamic guidance in selecting a spouse is being neglected; instead of considering piety and good character in a potential partner, worldly criteria such as property, beauty or lineage, now factor in. This has led to girls abstaining from marriage unless these criteria are met and an increase in divorce, even if they are. Yet, they remain interested in materialistic demands that overburden young men, such as ownership of residence, etc., and some fathers accordingly reject religious, well-mannered suitors for no real reason.”

　　Solving the problem of spinsterhood

　　Prof. Su’aad believes this problem has a two-pronged solution:

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