Russian Council of Ulema Permits Muslim Men to Marry Up to Four Wives

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Muslim men in Russia may now marry up to four wives in religious ceremonies under a new ruling by the Council of Ulema, a body within the Spiritual Administration of Muslims in Russia. The announcement was made by Deputy Chairman and Moscow Mufti, Ildar Alyautdinov, through the state media outlet RIA Novosti.

The ruling allows polygamous unions in specific circumstances, including cases where a wife is unable to conceive due to health reasons, is of advanced age, or if there is mutual agreement not to have children. Additional conditions include men ensuring equal financial support, providing separate housing for each wife, and allocating their time fairly among spouses.

“It is unacceptable to conceal the existence of a wife. If a second wife is unaware or unwilling to accept the situation, she has the right to demand the annulment of her nikah (Islamic marriage contract),” Alyautdinov emphasized.

While religious polygamy is permitted under the decree, it remains unrecognized under Russian law. The country’s Family Code prohibits polygamy and does not allow registering a marriage if one party is already married. This lack of legal recognition leaves women in religious polygamous unions vulnerable in disputes over inheritance, child custody, or financial support.

Alyautdinov acknowledged these challenges, stating that the ruling seeks to provide a framework for safeguarding women’s rights in religious marriages, even if they remain outside formal legal protection.

The decision has sparked criticism, particularly from government officials. Nina Ostanina, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Family, Women, and Children, condemned the ruling as unconstitutional and discriminatory.

“Our Constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman—not between a man and multiple women. If we allow polygamy, why not polyandry?” Ostanina questioned, adding that such practices could exacerbate financial strain on families and deprive children of adequate resources.

Polygamy, while illegal in Russia, is not criminalized. It is particularly prevalent in predominantly Muslim regions of the North Caucasus, where religious marriages often take place without state registration. These unofficial unions make it difficult to track the number of polygamous marriages or enforce legal action against participants.

The Council of Ulema’s ruling has reignited debate about the intersection of religious practices, gender equality, and constitutional law in Russia. For now, the decree highlights the ongoing tension between religious traditions and the country’s legal framework.

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