Russian Muslim clerics reverse polygamy fatwa. In Russia, Maulanas withdrew the fatwa on 4 marriages: Many Nikahs were given permission due to old and sick wives.

Cathedral Mosque in Moscow, the capital of Russia

A top Islamic body (DUM) in Russia has withdrawn the controversial fatwa allowing Muslim men to have four wives. According to RT News, on December 17, Islamic body DUM issued a fatwa demanding permission to marry more than one woman. In this, remarriage was allowed if the wife was in poor health or was old.

It was said in the fatwa that a man can have four wives, provided he gives equal time and comfort to all the wives. The document also contained conditions for fair or equal treatment of all wives. Although it was being criticized all over the country.

On Monday, six days after the fatwa was issued, the government sent a notice to the Islamic organization. A few hours later, DUM announced withdrawal of the fatwa. DUM President Shamil Alyutdinov said about withdrawal of the fatwa that this is the will of Allah. There is no point in debating on this issue.

Islamic religious leaders accused of implementing Sharia in the country

Human Rights Council member Kirill Kabanov accused Islamic clerics of trying to impose Sharia law in the country and disrespecting the Russian constitution.

Nina Ostanina, head of parliamentary family affairs, said the fatwa undermines Russian secularism. He described polygamy as against morality and traditional values.

Defending the document, Moscow’s mufti Ildar Alyutdinov said that the fatwa allowing quadrangles did not legalize polygamy nor weaken the country’s principle of secularism.

Ildar said that the fatwa has only clarified the Islamic principle. There is no attempt to make it a legal right.

11 percent Muslims in Russia, influence of Islam in Chechnya

At present the total population of Russia is slightly less than 14.5 crores. The Muslim population in this is a little more than 1 crore 60 lakh. This is about 11 percent of the total population of the entire country, in which Sunnis are in majority.

Muslim population lives in Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan of Russia. Chechnya is a Sunni Muslim-majority region and has been consistently unstable.

About two decades ago, a referendum was also held in Chechnya, after which Vladimir Putin approved a separate constitution here. Islam has great influence in Chechnya. There is alcohol prohibition in Chechnya. At the same time, women are seen on the streets with their heads covered.