Does Islam require spouses to love each other, and if so, how can a man have multiple wives?
Love between spouses is instinctive and is not considered a religious obligation, because it is not something a person owns. Rather, what a person owns is good treatment and living together in kindness. Allah Almighty has informed us about love and affection between spouses as something from His creation and signs, not as a religious obligation. Marital life is not built only on love and romance, but on care and responsibility, as 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, indicated. The Sharia has commanded us to treat women kindly, even if there is dislike, because Allah may place much good in that. There is no religious or rational impediment preventing a man from loving more than one wife, for the heart can love multiple people and things.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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