Concubinage has a long history and its aspects vary according to time and location. Historically, concubinage was similar to but not the same as marriage. It was/is an ongoing cohabitation with someone the man cannot or will not marry due to reasons of social status or an existing legal marriage.

In many cultures, concubinage was voluntary and provided a measure of protection and economic support for an unmarried woman of a lower social status than the man. It could mean relative freedom for a favored slave. It could mean life support for a free woman who had no other means of support. The children of a concubine were sometimes recognized as the legal children of their father although they did not have had full inheritance rights.

Concubinage was accepted in ancient Greece and Rome. Concubinage was practiced and accepted in ancient Israel but concubines had a lesser status than a legal wife. In ancient China high born men could have numerous concubines depending on their ability to support them. The man's legal wife was their superior. In early America, marriage was prohibited between races and white slave owners took their female slaves as concubines and sometimes had long term relationships that resulted in children who were born into slavery. Some fathers helped their children through training in a trade and education and many did not. There was formalized concubinage in early Louisiana where men supported free and enslaved women of color by providing a home, financial support and education for their children.

Opinion

My search in the Bible of the word concubines netted the following Information.

According to the Bible, Abraham have concubines; Genesis 25:6, 2 Chronicles 1:32.

King David also have concubines; 2 Samuel 5:13.

King Solomon have 300 concubines 1Kings 11:1-3.

There are many more characters in the Bible that have concubines, but the above 3 characters were the most prominent. So I guess if your wife cannot perform her wifely duty and the place you are now staying does not condemn it, then surely it's OK for you to practice Concubinage as well.

The incidents in the Old Testament of Abraham, David & others does not even reflect God's will then. In Deuteronomy 17:17, it states: "Neither shall he multiply wives unto himself, that his heart turn not away," specifically being instructions for a king, which David did not follow. Solomon particularly failed at this point.

The standard for leadership in the New Testament church was the requirement of being "the husband of one wife." 1 Timothy 3:2. The honoring of the marriage partner should indeed be: "For better or for worse, till death do us part."

Remember when the Saducees were trying to trick Jesus with the question about the woman who had seven husbands in succession? Jesus said in part, you do err because you don't know the scriptures. God intended one man to mate with one woman. God didn't create a whole bunch of wives for Adam, just Eve.

Concubinage probably was a way to impress people with how many you could get. If you remember, Solomon had 300 wives and 700 concubines. If you think you are the greatest, you also sometimes think you have to prove it by getting the most of something to impress others. In this case, it was probably a status symbol among kings, who had the most. God did not intend this for man. The reason people stray from the truth in this way and in our day is because they are not satisfied with what God has intended for them.

As a minister I run across people who have to make up their religion because they don't like the way God did it with Jesus to be our Savior. They don't want to be limited to just one way to God as Jesus said he was, "I am the way, the truth and the life. Anyone who wants to come to the Father must come through me."

When people are dissatisfied, they harden their hearts to what God has said and have pride believing that they can improve on what God has done or said. You should be able to draw from both of these why both are sins now.

The reason both are a sin is because adultery is wanting and coveting someone who is not yours to claim. Having concubines is a sin because you are committing adultery on a grand scale and telling God that you are not satisfied with the one person rule of marriage.
Dissatisfaction is the root of both sins. Of course, people try to get around this by not calling it a sin but something else. But it still is.

If the Holy men of the Bible were allowed to do it, then I guess it's not a sin.

see link "Concubines"

Concubinage was an acceptable practice in ancient Israel and in the Old Testament. It was not part of the Christian social structure. Therefore, modern day concubinage would be adultery in the modern Christianworld view. However, it is practiced under other belief systems. See related question link.

As is the case with divorce,polygamy,while not God's original arrangement, was tolerated until the time of the christain congergation in 33 CE. Polygamy is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 4:19, concerning Lamech a descendant of Cain had two wives. It is interesting to note that polygamy and concubinage helped the Israelites increase at a much faster rate. However as stated in Mattew19:4-8 and Mark10:2-9 a man would leave his mother and father and stick to his wife and the two would be one flesh. Note the phrase "one flesh" a person who is a polygamist cannot be one flesh with multiple wives.

• polygamy is God arrangement. Otherwise how God prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, ..., and Muhammad married with more than one. Jesus is not to be reckoned as he is the only exception (Jesus is an exception in his birth, in the age he was given the holy book, in his miracles, in his raise up to the Heavens, and in his short life on earth).
• To forbid something or to allow it, it should be according to direct command from God, or His prophet, not to be decided in a Christian congregation.
• To be as one flesh is just visualizing the intimate contact between the two partners. This does not contradict with polygamy.
• I am personally against polygamy. However, I prefer to have the right for it just in case I need it for any reason as life illness of wife, need for a child if the present wife has medical problems to give, or any other reason (however, to have a second wife should be with the approval and blessing of the first one).
• Banning polygamy plus banning divorce may motivate you to practice religiously forbidden sexual relations.

The term comes from the Latin prefix com-, which means "with," and cubara, "to lie down." Both the Ancient Greeks and Romans had concubines, and concubinage also appears in the Christian Bible. These lesser wives were also widely found in Asia and the Middle East, and concubinal relationships can still be found in some of these regions, although they may be restricted by law.

Generally, only men of high social status have concubines. Additional wives require more wealth, especially since a well-outfitted concubine elevates a man's social status, while an obviously neglected concubine would reflect poorly upon him. Many concubines in Ancient China, for example, had their own homes along with numerous valuable possessions including elegant clothing and jewelry. Although these women did not enjoy the high status of the first wife of the household, they were still figures of respect, and major life events like childbirth and death were celebrated with lavish ceremonies.

Typically, the children of a concubine are recognized as official offspring of the concubine's partner, although they may not have access to the same privileges as the children of the first wife. The female children of concubines could be given in marriage to high ranking members of society to forge allegiances, or they could be kept around the family compound to serve the higher status wives and children. Male children might be encouraged to become civil servants or to take up positions as merchants. Like their mothers, these children would traditionally have been well cared for, since they were dependents of the head of the household.

from

Code of Canon Law, translation prepared under the auspices of the Canon Law Society of America, Nihil obstat: + Anthony J. Bevilacqua, J.C.D.; Imprimatur: Rev. Msgr. John F. Donoghue, Canon Law Society of America, Washington D.C.

Canon 1091

1. In the direct line of consanguinity, marriage is invalid between all ancestors and descendants, whether they be related legitimately or naturally.

2. In the collateral line of consanguinity, marriage is invalid up to and including the fourth degree.

3. The impediment of consanguinity is not multiplied.

4. If there exists any doubt whether the parties are related through consanguinity in any degree of the direct line or in the second degree of the collateral line, marriage is never permitted.

Canon 1092

Affinity in the direct line in any degree whatsoever invalidates matrimony.

Canon 1093

The impediment of public propriety arises from an invalid marriage after common life has been established or from notorious and public concubinage; it invalidates marriage in the first degree of the direct line between the man and the blood relatives of the woman, and vice-versa.

Canon 1094

They cannot validly contract marriage between themselves who are related in the direct line or in the second degree of the collateral line through a legal relationship arising from adoption.

A:

Gregory VII was the first pope in several centuries to rigorously enforce the Church's ancient policy of celibacy for the Catholic clergy. In 1074, with his mistress Countess Matilda by his side, Gregory issued an edict ordering his priests to abandon their wives. To the extent that he was succesful, the result was an increase in concubinage and homosexuality among the clergy. John W. Casperson (A Chalice of Miracles) says that in 1095 Pope Urban II ordered married priests who ignored celibacy to be imprisoned and their wives and children sold into slavery, indicating just how unsuccessful this reform had been. Thomas P. Doyle, A. W. R. Sipe and Patrick J. Wall (Sex, Priests and Secret Codes: The Catholic Church's 2,000-Year Paper Trail of Sexual Abuse) say that the primary historical sources from later centuries and the scholarly studies of these texts indicate that celibacy violations with women were far more common among the secular clergy but not unknown among the monks. On the other hand, the monks became known for the frequency of homosexual activity, especially with young boys.

Gregory also attacked the practice of simony, but this reform met with strong resistance, particularly from the higher clergy. The Church's continued involvement in the practice of simony shows that in the longer term, he was entirely unsuccessful.

His most enduring contribution was to define that the pope was to be the supreme leader of the Church, a position that was further strengthened by later popes, and continues to the present day.

Catholic Answer:

I am not sure which contributions you are referring to in your question. The year 1073 was the first year of the reign of Pope Saint Gregory VII and most reforms came about later in his papacy. Gregory did issue an edict forbidding the faithful from attending any Mass presided over by any cleric known to be married or living with a concubine, an act considered to be ipso factoexcommunication. Gregory, himself, had only one mistress, the Church, to whom he was fiercely devoted. He is not listed as a sexually active pope (see related links). He is best remembered for the Investiture Controversy, particularly with Henry IV of Germany. Gregory insisted that only the pope could make ecclesiastic appointments. This met with considerable resistance throughout Europe.

At the time of his papal election on April 22, 1073, Gregory was only an archdeacon and had to be first ordained a priest and then a bishop before he could ascend the throne of Peter. This was accomplished on June 30, 1073.

- if a man has not completed his sixteenth year of age, or a woman her fourteenth years of age.

- antecedent and perpetual impotence to have intercourse, absolute or relative

- a person held in a bond of a prior marriage, even if not consummated

- a person baptized in the Catholic Church, or received into it that has not left by a formal act invalidly attempts marriage with a non-baptized person.

- persons in holy orders invalidly attempt marriage

- persons who are bound by a public perpetual vow of chastity in a religious institute invalidly attempt marriage

- no marriage can exist between a man and a woman abducted or at least detained for the purpose of contracting a marriage with her

- a person who for the purpose of entering marriage with a certain person has brought about the death of that person's spouse or one's own spouse, invalidly attempts such a marriage.

- also (as above) they invalidly attempt marriage between themselves who have brought about the death of the spouse of one of them through mutual physical or moral cooperation.

- in the direct line of consanguinity, marriage is invalid between all ancestors or descendants, whether they be related legitimately or naturally: marriage is invalid up to and including the fourth degree

- if there exists any doubt whether the parities are related through consanguinity in any degree of the direct line or in the second degree of the collateral line, marriage is never permitted

- affinity in the direct line in any degree whatsoever invalidates matrimony

- the impediment of public propriety arises from an invalid marriage after common life has been established or from notorious and public concubinage; it invalidates marriage in the first degree of the direct line between the man and the blood relatives of the woman, and vice-versa.

- they cannot validly contract marriage between themselves who are related in the direct line or in the second degree of the collateral line through a legal relationship arising from adoption.

Matrimonial consent is covered in canons 1095 - 1107 inclusive.

The aristocratic Theodora and her daughter Marozia effectively controlled the papacy during much of the tenth century, in some cases placing their lovers or sons on the papal throne.

.

Catholic Answer

The tenth century was a very bad time in Europe, it was the very end of the "Dark Ages" (as named by secular scholars) and Charlemagne's empire was divided into thirds, with the western part (the future France) ruled by one grandson, the eastern part (the future Germany) by another grandson, and the third grandson taking the Middle Kingdom, which would be fought over by its neighbors into the twentieth century. In the meantime, the Vikings were invading most of Europe and people were fleeing inland only to meet a worse fate: the Magyars. In all this turmoil, the Church was in worse shape (as Diane Moczar said "the Church mirrored the chaos in society, while in Rome the interference of the quarreling hairs of Charlemagne in papal politics, along with the meddling of powerful Italian factions, dragged down the papacy even as friction with the church in Byzantium increased.") With all of these invasions, and the increasing isolation of peoples, feudalism (or manorialism) emerged as the way that people dealt with it. The clergy were dragged into these protection scheme and it would become a centuries-long struggle against domination by temporal powers. Among the abuses in the Church itself at this time were, especially among the Franks, bishops and other ecclesiastical officials were from noble families and often possessed large properties. One of the problems was that the temporal goods and goals were engendering worldliness and laxity among the clergy AND the lands and wealth of the church were starting to look pretty appealing to local Lords and Kings. The practice of simony was widespread with prominent bishops and abbots paying large sums to feudal lords for choice posts. The ignorance of the clergy increased with lay control as did clerical immorality with priests, more or less openly, being "married" or having concubines. But early in the tenth century a "miracle" occurred, a wealthy layman founded a monastery in Cluny - from purely spiritual motives, and then, in an almost unprecedented surprise renounced all control over it. It probably would have gone the way as the other monasteries, but its first abbot was a saint, and was succeeded by a long line of saintly abbots, all of them canonized or beatified. Thus began the story of Abbey of Cluny which eventually absorbed most of the monasteries in Europe and sparked a Church-wide renewal that saved the Church and society. This was known as the Cluniac reform and eventually brought about Church-wide renewal.

The Catholic teaching on marriage is that it is one of the seven sacraments by which Our Blessed Lord gives grace to people. The sacrament of marriage is a lifelong commitment between two baptized persons for the strengthening of their mutual love and the begetting and raising of children.

It is the joining of a man and a woman in which they become one entity. The man and woman will have offspring and raise them in the catholic faith to further spread the word of God in word and action. Those who are married are only to be separated by death or an annulment. Sexual relations outside of this covenant is sinful.

.

.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1601 "The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (Codex Iuris Canonicic, canon 1055 § 1; cf. Gaudium et spes48 § 1.(

1614 In his preaching Jesus unequivocally taught the original meaning of the union of man and woman as the Creator willed it from the beginning: permission given by Moses to divorce one's wife was a concession to the hardness of hearts. (Cf. Mt 19:6) The matrimonial union of men and woman is indissoluble: God himself has determined is: "what therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder." (Mt 19:6)

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

Marriage. As a natural institution, the lasting union of a man and a woman who agree to give and receive rights over each other for the performance of the act of generation and for fostering of their mutual love.

The state of marriage implies four chief conditions: 1. There must be a union of opposite sexes; it is therefore opposed to all forms of unnatural, homosexual behavior; 2. It is a permanent union until the death of either spouse; 3. It is an exclusive union, so that extramarital acts are a violation of justice; and 4. Its permanence and exclusiveness are guaranteed by contract; mere living together, without mutually binding themselves to do so, is concubinage and not marriage.

Christ elevated marriage to a sacrament of the New Law. Christian spouses signify and partake of the mystery of that unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and His Church, helping each other attain to holiness in their married life and in the rearing and education of their children.

Catholic Answer

The Catholic reform, known to protestants and seculars as the "counter-reformation" was a movement that actually started before the protestant revolt. One of its major findings was that the clergy were receiving a *really* poor education, Martin Luther being a prime example of such, and he was a professor of theology! So one of the big results was the establishment of the seminary system, which is still used today, which has required all priests to be educated in philosophy and theology primarily from St. Thomas Aquinas. Most of the impetus for it was found in the documents of the Council of Trent.

The canons and decrees of the sacred and oecumenical Council of Trent,
Ed. and trans. J. Waterworth (London: Dolman, 1848): https://history.hanover.edu/texts/trent.html

from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957

The Counter-Reformation is the name given to the Catholic movement of reform and activity which lasted for about one hundred years from the beginning of the Council of Trent (q.v., 1545), and was the belated answer to the threatening confusion and increasing attacks of the previous years. It was the work principally of the Popes St. Pius V and Gregory XIII and the Council itself in the sphere of authority, of SS. Philip Neri and Charles Borromeo in the reform of the clergy and of life, of St. Ignatius and the Jesuits in apostolic activity of St. Francis Xavier in foreign missions, and of St. Teresa in the purely contemplative life which lies behind them all. But these were not the only names nor was it a movement of a few only; the whole Church emerged from the 15th century purified and revivified. On the other hand, it was a reformation rather than a restoration; the unity of western Christendom was destroyed; the Church militant (those still on earth) led by the Company of Jesus adopted offence as the best means of defence and, though she gained as much as she lost in some sense, the Church did not recover the exercise of her former spiritual supremacy in actuality.

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

A period of Catholic revival from 1522 to about 1648, better know as the Catholic Reform. It was an effort to stem the tide of Protestantism by genuine reform within the Catholic Church. There were political movements pressured by civil rules, and ecclesiastical movements carried out by churchmen in an attempt to restore genuine Catholic life by establishing new religious orders such as the Society of Jesus and restoring old orders to their original observances, such as the Carmelites under St. Teresa of Avila (1515-98). The main factors responsible for the Counter Reformation, however, were the papacy and the council of Trent (1545-63). Among church leaders St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84), Archbishop of Milan, enforced the reforms decreed by the council, and St. Francis de Sales of Geneva (1567-1622) spent his best energies in restoring genuine Catholic doctrine and piety. Among civil rulers sponsoring the needed reform were Philip II of Spain (1527-98) and Mary Tudor (1516-58), his wife, in England. Unfortunately this aspect of the reformation led to embitterment between England and Scotland, England and Spain, Poland and Sweden, and to almost two centuries of religious wars. As a result of the Counter Reformation, the Catholic Church became stronger in her institutional structure, more dedicated to the work of evangelization, and more influential in world affairs.

Kidnapping and Abduction laws vary from state to state, but generally apply to anyone who without lawful authority, forcibly seizes and confines another, with intent to cause such other person to be secretly confined or imprisoned against their will.

The criminal taking away of a person by persuasion (convincing someone--particularly a minor or a woman he/she is better off leaving with the persuader), by fraud (telling the person he/she is needed, or that the mother or father wants him/her to come with the abductor), or by open force or violence. Originally abduction applied only to protect women and children as victims. Currently in most states it can also apply to an adult male. In fact, in some states like New York abduction meant the unlawful taking or detention of any female for purposes of "marriage, concubinage or prostitution." Kidnapping is more limited, requiring force, threat of force of an adult or the taking of children.

Kidnapping is also a federal crime and several federal statutes have been enacted to address this issue including the Federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act and Congress passed a national AMBER Alert bill as part of the Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today (PROTECT) Act of 2003, Pub. L. No. 108-21, 117 Stat. 650. Under this bill, the attorney general, in cooperation with the secretary of transportation and the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), appoints a National AMBER Alert Coordinator to oversee the communication network. The AMBER Alert Coordinator at the Justice Department works with states, broadcasters, and law enforcement agencies to set up AMBER plans, to serve as a point of contact to supplement existing AMBER plans, and to facilitate appropriate regional coordination of AMBER Alerts.

Kidnapping laws are similar to laws on unlawful or felonious restraint, parental kidnapping, and False Imprisonment . These crimes cover the range of unlawful-movement and unlawful-restraint cases. Felonious or unlawful restraint, also known as simple kidnapping, is the unlawful restraint of a person that exposes the victim to physical harm or places the victim in Slavery. It is a lesser form of kidnapping because it does not require restraint for a specified period or specific purpose (such as to secure money or commit a felony). False imprisonment is a relatively inoffensive, harmless restraint of another person. Sadly for the victim, it is usually a misdemeanor, punishable by no more than a year in jail.

A person who is convicted of kidnapping is usually sentenced to prison for a certain number of years. In some states, and at the federal level, the term of imprisonment may be the remainder of the offender's natural life. In jurisdictions that authorize the death penalty, a kidnapper is charged with a capital offense if the kidnapping results in death. Kidnapping is so severely punished because it is a dreaded offense. It usually occurs in connection with another criminal offense, or underlying crime. It involves violent deprivation of liberty, and it requires a special criminal boldness. Furthermore, the act of moving a crime victim exposes the victim to risks above and beyond those that are inherent in the underlying crime.

Most kidnapping statutes recognize different types and levels of kidnapping and assign punishment accordingly. New York State, for example, bases its definition of first-degree kidnapping on the purpose and length of the abduction. First-degree kidnapping occurs when a person abducts another person to obtain ransom (N.Y. Penal Code § 135.25 [McKinney 1996]). First-degree kidnapping also occurs when the abduction lasts for more than 12 hours and the abductor intends to injure the victim; to accomplish or advance the commission of a felony; to terrorize the victim or a third person; or to interfere with a governmental or political function. An abduction that results in death is also first-degree kidnapping. A first-degree kidnapping in New York State is a class A-1 felony, which carries a sentence of at least 20 years in prison (§ 70.00).

New York State also has a second-degree kidnapping statute. A person is guilty of second-degree kidnapping if he or she abducts another person (§ 135.20). This crime lacks the aggravating circumstances in first-degree kidnapping, and it is ranked as a class B felony. A person who is convicted of a class B felony in New York State can be sentenced to one to eight years in prison (§ 70.00).

Disclaimer: This article is a guideline and is not legal advice - No information here is warranted or guaranteed fro any purpose; as laws vary from state to state, it is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of the law applicable to any action in your state. Please consult with a legal professional when appropriate - if you are charged with a crime, contact a criminal defense attorney.

The original marriage was between one man and one woman(Genesis 2:22-24).
Today, God does not demand that a Christian marry at all. Paul(1 Corinthians 7:7-9+32-34), and Jesus himself were unmarried, however if a Christian DOES marry he must be "...the husband of ONE wife..."(1 Timothy 3:2+12)(Titus 1:5+6). Although, polygamy was allowed for a while in ancient times(Genesis 4:19/1 Kings 11:1-6/Nehemiah 13:26), God, infact, warned against it(Deuteronomy 17:15+17/ Deuteronomy 7:3/Judges 3:5-8). It was finally straightened out when Jesus came and renewed God's original purpose (Matthew 19:5,6+9/Matthew 5:32) (Genesis 2:23+24/Hebrews 13:4/Deuteronomy 22:22)(Mark 10:2-12)(1 Corinthians 7:2).
One living husband to one living wife.
However, If a mate should die, the remaining mate is free to remarry another faithful Christian(1 Corinthians 7:39).
----------------------

Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

The wife of the first man Adam was formed from one of her husband's ribs. [Just as well this isn't the case today, or else there would be men running around without many ribs!]

Monagomy was the original law of marriage:-

Matthew 19
4 And He [that is, Christ] answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'
5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh' ?


1Co 6:16 KJV
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he [that is, God], shall be one flesh.

Although in the patriarchal age polygamy and concubinage was permitted, that doesn't mean to say God approved of it. Just because something is allowed doesn't make it right. It brought unnecessary nastiness, family squabbles [eg over priority, inheritances], fights, troubles, wars, favouritism, fraud, and flight.

After the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem from the captivity in Babylon, they were told not to marry foreign wives or else the priesthood would be defiled:

Neh 13:23-29 MKJV
(v.23) In those days I also saw Jews who lived with women from Ashdod, Ammon, and from Moab.
(v.24) And their sons spoke half Ashdod's speech, and there was no caring to speak Jewish, but according to the language of each people.
(v.25) And I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair. And I made them swear by the name of God, saying, You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters to your sons, or for yourselves.
(v.26) Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. But women from other lands caused even him to sin.
(v.27) Shall we then listen to you, to do all this great evil, to sin against our God in living with foreign women?
(v.28) And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite; and I chased him from me.
(v.29) Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

Solomon's many foreign wives caused him to commit spiritual and physical idolatry and adultery. In many places in the Bible God refers to the nation of Israel as His Wife, singular not plural: having just the one wife. God regarded His Wife co-habiting with foreign nations as spiritual adultery.

In the same way, Christian leaders were to have only one wife:-
.
1 Timothy 3
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Titus 1
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

Indeed, Christians are the Temple of God:-

1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you [Christians] are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Christians are priests:-

Rev 1:6 and [Christ] made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:10 And You [Christ] made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the ea. rth.

Christians are to have only one wife.




.
.

1. Reflect God's Image

Christian marriages are to reflect God's image:

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26-27

Notice the emphasis on "image" and "likeness." God creates "them" as a unit to reflect Him. It takes both a man and woman, in oneness, to truly reflect His image. When we criticize our spouse, or foster division and competition, we are actually reflecting the disunity of Satan and dishonoring God. On the other hand, when we recognize our purpose is to reflect the image of God, we are convicted by Holy Spirit when we don't meet that standard and protected from hardening our hearts toward one another.

2. Reproduce Children in God's Likeness

God's second purpose for marriage is to reproduce:

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in

number; fill the earth and subdue it." Genesis 1:28a

God wants married couples to reproduce children - in His "likeness." Couples who are competitive, angry and divided, are not fully able to nurture children in God's image. Why? In order to teach children the principles of agape love, godly discipline, and good morals, it must first be modeled by parents. Words are not enough! As parents puts aside their innate selfishness and trust God to meet their needs, petty disagreements fade in comparison to their love for their children. The Christian couple who does not have children can fulfill this purpose by making others disciples of Jesus Christ.

3. Reign in Spiritual Warfare

The third purpose for marriage is to reign:

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in

number; fill the earth and subdue it." Genesis 1:28a

Additional Answer:

God ordained marriage for a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24) as a sharing in God's plan of Salvation for all mankind. We would share in the physical expansion of the human family as God intends to expand these into His spiritual sons and daughters in the God Family.

Through this human family experience, both men and women learn their respective roles in this world:

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

In the future, those who are called (John 6:44;65) into the Father's Church Jesus established will be the 'firstfruits' and bride of Christ for all eternity:

7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."

Those called later in their lives (during the Millennium or Judgement) will become the children of God for eternity. Salvation and Family for humankind.

Answer 1

Having slaves was very popular allover the world before Islam. Having intercourse with women slaves was also very popular allover the world before Islam. During the Islam era, Quran and Islam teachings followed lots of measure to limit slavery and prohibit it gradually. One of these measures was that if a Muslim performs intercourse with his slave woman then it should be with her satisfaction and acceptance (no rape is allowed in Islam) and if she gives birth due to this intercourse then she and her children become free.

Answer 2

1. Misconception of Slavery in Islam

No, one is not allowed to have sex out of wedlock in Islam as per the Quran. Slavery was completely admonished and your servants are not slaves, they are free human beings. But still let's see if having an intercourse out of wedlock is allowed in the light of Quranic verses.

I have done some research after praying to Allah for true guidance. I prayed if I was wrong to think the way I did, may Allah help me get to the truth or if I was right, may Allah help me spread the truth. I have never been able to document my research ever before but this time Allah made it simple for me to do it. I hope and pray that the below research will guide all those who are confused on the concept of slavery in Islam and all those who believe in it to re-think and read more to understand better.

The method used for the research is fairly simple... first focus on Quran, then if required move to ahadith and so on as per the Islamic belief. Alhamdulillah there were plenty of proof against slavery in Quran itself. People who support slavery from Quran, ahadith and from work of scholars would Insha-Allah be convinced after going through the below from Quran. I have tried to keep the context of Surahs (taking multiple ayahs to not lose the meaning of it).

The English translation of the Quranic verses is taken from the below website. May Allah be pleased with them. There are multiple translations available on this website to do comparison.

Source: http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran

Source: http://www.quran.com

Lets focus on Quran first.

O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them, Allah knows best as to their Faith, then if you ascertain that they are true believers, send them not back to the disbelievers, they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them. But give the disbelievers that (amount of money) which they have spent [as their Mahr] to them. And there will be no sin on you to marry them if you have paid their Mahr to them. Likewise hold not the disbelieving women as wives, and ask for (the return of) that which you have spent (as Mahr) and let them (the disbelievers, etc.) ask back for that which they have spent. That is the Judgement of Allah. He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (10)

Commentary: There is ahadith to support that Hazrat Muhammad PBUH would free the captives after a ransom. Another option mentioned is to marry the believing captives (emphasis is on marriage and giving of mahr) if they belong to the unbelievers. Because once a woman accepts Islam, she cannot marry a non believer. However it mentions to return the non believing women to their men as they have spent on them. It does not say to keep them captives and make them slave women.

For me even this one particular ayah was enough proof. But I have found many more for people who still are not convinced.

And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely that ye will not do injustice. (3)

Commentary: The verse is emphasizing marriage, to upto 4 women and in case one cannot do justice, then only one. It says marry the women who seem good to you OR marry captives (also see verse 25 of Surah-e-Nisa below), but the focus is still marriage in this verse. It also mentions CLEARLY that men will most likely be unjust if they have 2,3 or 4 wives.

O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr[] you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it a great deal of good. (19)

Commentary: Muslims are forbidden to inherit women against their will. This is general for all women.... so there is no concept of slavery. It does not say FREE women.

Also (forbidden are) women already married, except those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Thus has Allâh ordained for you. All others are lawful, provided you seek (them in marriage) with Mahr (bridal - money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) from your property, desiring chastity, not committing illegal sexual intercourse, so with those of whom you have enjoyed sexual relations, give them their Mahr as prescribed; but if after a Mahr is prescribed, you agree mutually (to give more), there is no sin on you. Surely, Allâh is Ever All¬Knowing, All¬Wise (24)

Commentary: It says that Muslim men are allowed to marry slave women. Nothing MORE! It continues that provided to seek them in marriage with Mahr (mahr is linked to Nikah). Its telling Muslims that if you have had sex with any of the allowed women then marry them (saying give mahr and mahr comes with Nikah). The emphasis is still on MARRIAGE which by far is the BASIS of an Islamic society or for that matter any society.

And whoever of you have not the means wherewith to wed free, believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those (slaves) whom your right hands possess, and Allâh has full knowledge about your Faith, you are one from another. Wed them with the permission of their own folk (guardians, Auliyâ' or masters) and give them their Mahr according to what is reasonable; they (the above said captive and slave-girls) should be chaste, not adulterous, nor taking boy-friends. And after they have been taken in wedlock, if they commit illegal sexual intercourse, their punishment is half that for free (unmarried) women.[] This is for him among you who is afraid of being harmed in his religion or in his body; but it is better for you that you practise self¬restraint, and Allâh is Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful (25)

Commentary: Now another very important verse which relates to whether sex is allowed with slave women or not. I would like to remind the readers that first proof from Quran already does not support slavery and slaves should either be returned to their own people or if they become believers, then Muslims can MARRY them. Emphasis on marriage is there or sending them to their own people. There are ahadith to support that at that time they would free slaves on payment of some ransom e.g. teaching the children or camels etc.

This verse says that Muslims who can't find or afford to marry free women, they can marry women slaves. Let me re-iterate, it says marry them. It does not end there, it says marry them with the permission of their folks and give them their mahr (again linked to Nikah). It further mentions that the slave girl should be chaste and not adulterous. Further it mentions that this provision is for those who are afraid to commit sin but it says that it is better if you practice SELF CONSTRAINT. Clearly this verse is about free men who have slave girls. If sex was allowed then there was no need of this verse.

If sex was allowed with slave girls... above situation would never arise. Only reason above situation arises is because sex with slave girls is not allowed.

Allâh wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you, and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allâh is All¬Knower, All¬Wise. (26)

Allâh wishes to accept your repentance, but those who follow their lusts, wish that you (believers) should deviate tremendously away (from the Right Path). (27)

Commentary: Allah will accept the repentance of everyone except those who follow their lust. And I have read articles proving that Islam allows 100s of concubines for Muslim men, Astaghfirullah! I pray to Allah almighty that we all get guidance. Amen!

You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them (by giving her more of your time and provision) so as to leave the other hanging (i.e. neither divorced nor married). And if you do justice, and do all that is right and fear Allâh by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allâh is Ever Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful. (129)

But if they separate (by divorce), Allâh will provide abundance for everyone of them from His Bounty. And Allâh is Ever All¬Sufficient for His creatures' need, All¬Wise. (130)

Commentary: Allah says that Muslim men can't do justice with more than one wife, even if they try their best. So if they separate by divorce, Allah will provide to both. Again emphasizing on One wife. Allah hates divorce and it is the most undesirable thing in the eyes of Allah. Despite that Allah knows about the injustice a woman can go through while not being the only wife. So Allah promises to provide abundance if the couple decides to separate ways. I should mention a Hadith which tells us that Hazrat Ali wanted to do a second wife and our prophet PBUH told Hazrat Ali that whoever makes my daughter (part of me) unhappy makes me unhappy and he stopped him from getting married (despite it being a lawful thing). This means Hazrat Muhammad PBUH knew it is a painful thing for a wife. This is also a sunnat of Hazrat Muhammad PBUH.

And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Salihun (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficent for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people).(32)

Commentary: Clearly the direction is to get married to men/women who are single or you can also marry slaves. But the emphasis is on marriage again.

Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swine-flesh, and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by the death-stroke), and that which hath been immolated unto idols. And (forbidden is it) that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination. This day are those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion AL-ISLAM. Whoso is forced by hunger, not by will, to sin: (for him) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (3)

They ask thee (O Muhammad) what is made lawful for them. Say: (all) good things are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained, ye teach them that which Allah taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah's name upon it, and observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is swift to take account. (4)

This day are (all) good things made lawful for you. The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you (lawful for you) when ye give them their marriage portions and live with them in honour, not in fornication, nor taking them as secret concubines. Whoso denieth the faith, his work is vain and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter. (5)

Commentary: Surah Maeda talks about what is lawful and what is not. 3rd and 4th are mentioned for the context. 5th clearly mentions that virtuous women of the believers and of those who received scriptures before you are lawful for you (no mention of free vs. slave, meaning the concept of slavery was admonished). Verse also emphasizes marriage and rejects concubinage. Alhamdolillah it is clear that Allah cannot be unjust to women.

I researched about the mention of women whom your right hand possesses in the only 2 surahs which were revealved after Surah-e-Maeda and there is no mention of it. So what surah-e-Maeda states is final revelation about women, marriage and concubinage.

Allah's Apostle said, "He who has a slave-girl and educates and treats her nicely and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward."

The Prophet said: "The stipulations most entitled to be abided by are those with which you are given the right to enjoy the (women's) private parts (i.e. the stipulations of the marriage contract)."

The Prophet said, "You should not say, 'Feed your lord (Rabbaka), help your lord in performing ablution, or give water to your lord, but should say, 'my master (e.g. Feed your master instead of lord etc.) (Saiyidi), or my guardian (Maulai), and one should not say, my slave (Abdi), or my girl-slave (Amati), but should say, my lad (Fatai), my lass (Fatati), and 'my boy (Ghulami)."

While I was with Abdullah, 'Uthman met him at Mina and said, "O Abu 'Abdur-Rahman ! I have something to say to you." So both of them went aside and 'Uthman said, "O Abu 'Abdur-Rah. man! Shall we marry you to a virgin who will make you remember your past days?" When 'Abdullah felt that he was not in need of that, he beckoned me (to join him) saying, "O 'Alqama!" Then I heard him saying (in reply to 'Uthman), "As you have said that, (I tell you that) the Prophet once said to us, 'O young people! Whoever among you is able to marry, should marry, and whoever is not able to marry, is recommended to fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.

We were with the Prophet while we were young and had no wealth whatever. So Allah's Apostle said, "O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power."

We used to fight in the holy battles in the company of the Prophet and we had no wives with us. So we said, "O Allah's Apostle! Shall we get castrated?" The Prophet forbade us to do so.

I said to Ibn 'Abbas, "During the battle of Khaibar the Prophet forbade (Nikah) Al-Mut'a and the eating of donkey's meat."

While we were in an army, Allah's Apostle came to us and said, "You have been allowed to do the Mut'a (marriage), so do it." Salama bin Al-Akwa' said: Allah's Apostle's said, "If a man and a woman agree (to marry temporarily), their marriage should last for three nights, and if they like to continue, they can do so; and if they want to separate, they can do so." I do not know whether that was only for us or for all the people in general. Abu Abdullah (Al-Bukhari) said: 'Ali made it clear that the Prophet said, "The Mut'a marriage has been cancelled (made unlawful)."

The Prophet said, "Set the captives free, accept the invitation (to a wedding banquet), and visit the patients."

I heard Allah's Apostle who was on the pulpit, saying, "Banu Hisham bin Al-Mughira have requested me to allow them to marry their daughter to Ali bin Abu Talib, but I don't give permission, and will not give permission unless 'Ali bin Abi Talib divorces my daughter in order to marry their daughter, because Fatima is a part of my body, and I hate what she hates to see, and what hurts her, hurts me."

'Ali demanded the hand of the daughter of Abu Jahl. Fatima heard of this and went to Allah's Apostle saying, "Your people think that you do not become angry for the sake of your daughters as 'Ali is now going to marry the daughter of Abu Jahl. "On that Allah's Apostle got up and after his recitation of Tashah-hud. I heard him saying, "Then after! I married one of my daughters to Abu Al-'As bin Al-Rabi' (the husband of Zainab, the daughter of the Prophet ) before Islam and he proved truthful in whatever he said to me. No doubt, Fatima is a part of me, I hate to see her being troubled. By Allah, the daughter of Allah's Apostle and the daughter of Allah's Enemy cannot be the wives of one man." So 'Ali gave up that engagement.

'Al-Miswar further said: I heard the Prophet talking and he mentioned a son-in-law of his belonging to the tribe of Bani 'Abd-Shams. He highly praised him concerning that relationship and said (whenever) he spoke to me, he spoke the truth, and whenever he promised me, he fulfilled his promise."

The Prophet said, "No man should stay with a lady in seclusion except in the presence of a Dhu-Muhram." A man stood up and said, "O Allah's Apostle! My wife has gone out intending to perform the Hajj and I have been enrolled (in the army) for such-and-such campaign." The Prophet said, "Return and perform the Hajj with your wife."

Marthad ibn AbuMarthad al-Ghanawi used to take prisoners (of war) from Mecca (to Medina). At Mecca there was a prostitute called Inaq who had illicit relations with him. (Marthad said:) I came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and said to him: May I marry Inaq, Apostle of Allah? The narrator said: He kept silence towards me. Then the verse was revealed:"....and the adulteress none shall marry save and adulterer or an idolater." He called me and recited this (verse) to me, and said: Do not marry her.

The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) prohibited temporary marriage with women.

The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: The marriage of a woman who marries without the consent of her guardians is void. (He said these words) three times. If there is cohabitation, she gets her dower for the intercourse her husband has had. If there is a dispute, the sultan (man in authority) is the guardian of one who has none.

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: There is no marriage without the permission of a guardian.

concerning the Verse: 'Do not prevent them' (2.232) Ma'qil bin Yasar told me that it was revealed in his connection. He said, "I married my sister to a man and he divorced her, and when her days of 'Idda (three menstrual periods) were over, the man came again and asked for her hand, but I said to him, 'I married her to you and made her your bed (your wife) and favored you with her, but you divorced her. Now you come to ask for her hand again? No, by Allah, she will never go back to you (again)!' That man was not a bad man and his wife wanted to go back to him. So Allah revealed this Verse: 'Do not prevent them.' (2.232) So I said, 'Now I will do it (let her go back to him), O Allah's Apostle."So he married her to him again.

(The narrator Isma'il said: I think ash-Sha'bi attributed this tradition to the Prophet)

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Curse be upon the one who marries a divorced woman with the intention of making her lawful for her former husband and upon the one for whom she is made lawful.

I read this question, which relates to ahadith regarding the abomination of slavery. I found it to be quite balanced as per what I read in Quran and Hadith.

Question: I am a Captain in the Pakistan army and would like to know if can we have sexual relations with the women we are able to capture in wars? I have heard that in one of the wars during the time of the Prophet (sws), the whole Muslim army raped slave women offered to them provided that they practiced 'Azal (coitus interruptus).

Answer: Well I am afraid you cannot do so. Since the question you have raised is an important one. I'll give you a detailed answer:

In my opinion, among many other misconceptions about Islam is the notion that it gives sanction to slavery and permits its followers to enslave prisoners of war, particularly women and establish extra-marital relations with them. Islam, I must strongly affirm, has not the slightest link with slavery and concubinage. On the contrary, it completely forbids these practices. It is quite outrageous to associate such barbarities with a religion revealed to upgrade humanity.

The point which needs to be appreciated and which, perhaps, is the real cause of the misconception is that Islam had adopted a gradual process to abolish the institution of slavery because of the social conditions prevalent in Arabia at that time. It must be kept in mind that slavery was an integral part of the pre-Islamic Arab society. There were scores of slave men and women in almost every house. This was largely due to two reasons: First, during those times, the standard practice of dispensing with prisoners of war was to distribute them among the army who captured them. Second, there were extensive slave markets in Arabia in that period where free as well as men and women of all ages were sold like animals.

In these circumstances, in which slavery had become an essential constituent of the Arab society, Islam adopted a gradual way to eliminate it. An immediate order of prohibition would have created immense social and economic problems. It would have become impossible for the society to cater for the needs of a large army of slaves, who were, otherwise, dependent on various families. Also, the national treasury was in no position to provide them all on a permanent basis. A large number among them were old and incapable of supporting themselves. The only alternative left for them, if they were instantly freed, would have been to turn to beggary and become an economic burden for the society. The question of slave girls and women was even more critical, keeping in view their own low moral standards. Freeing them, all of a sudden, would have only resulted in a tremendous increase in brothels.

Perhaps, the reason behind this gradual eradication can be understood better if one considers the position which interest occupies in the economy of Pakistan today. No one can refute Pakistan's national economic structure is interest oriented. How the parasite of interest has crippled the national economy is apparent to every keen eye. However, there is no denying the fact that without it our present economic system cannot sustain itself. Every reasonable person will acknowledge that today if a government wishes to rid the economy from this menace then, in spite of its utter prohibition in Islam, it will have to adopt a gradual methodology. During this interim period interest oriented deals will have to be tolerated and temporary laws will have to be enacted to handle them, just as the Qur'an had given certain provisional directives about slaves during the interim period of their gradual eradication. An alternative economic framework will have to be steadily incorporated in place of the existing one. A sudden abolition, without another parallel base, will only hasten the total collapse of the economic system, which, of course, will be disastrous for the country.

To avert a similar disaster and to ward off a similar catastrophe, Islam had adopted a progressive and a gradual scheme, fourteen hundred years ago, to do away with the inhuman institution of slavery. Following are some of the measures it took in this regard:

1. In the early Makkan period, it pronounced that slave emancipation was a great deed of piety. The very initial Makkan surahs appealed to the Muslims to liberate as many slaves as they could.

2. The Prophet (sws), unequivocally, directed the Muslims to raise the standard of living of the slaves and bring it equal to their own standard. This, of course, was meant to discourage people from persisting with them.

3. For the atonement of many sins manumission of slaves was divinely ordained.

4. All slave men and women who could support themselves in the society were directed to marry one another, in order to raise their moral and social status.

5. A permanent head in the public treasury was fixed to set free slave men and women.

6. Prostitution, which was largely carried out through slave women, who were mostly forced by their masters do so, was totally prohibited.

7. The affronting names of 'abd (slave-man) and amah (slave-woman) by which slave men and women were called, were abrogated so that people should stop regarding them as slaves. In their place, the words fata (boy) and fatat (girl) were introduced.

8. Finally, the law of mukatibat provided very easy access for the slaves to the gateway to freedom. Every slave who was capable of supporting himself was allowed by law to free himself, provided that he either gave a certain monetary amount to his master or carried out certain errands for him. After this, he could live as a free man. A special head in the treasury was fixed for this purpose; also, wealthy people were urged to help the slaves in this regard. The net result of this law was that only handicapped and old slaves were left to be provided for by their masters, which not only went in their own favour but also prevented them from becoming an economic burden on the society.

As far as the war you have referred to, let me correct you on your information.

In the battle of Bani Mustaliq, the prisoners captured were either freed in the battlefield as a favour while some others were freed on ransom. The Prophet (sws) brought the remaining prisoners to Madinah and while waiting for their families to procure them, gave them into the temporary custody of his Companions (rta). Since at that time, the prohibition of slavery was passing through the interim period when it was still intact for reasons stated earlier, the Prophet (sws) accepted the right of masters to have sexual intercourse with the slave women as was the international law at that time but set about taking steps that could prevent this from actually happening. Let me explain the most important measure he adopted:

Among the prisoners of this battle was Sayyidah Jawayriyyah as well. Her father arrived with some camels as ransom. The Prophet (sws) inquired about the two well-bred camels he had hid behind. This astounded him so much - for he knew that there could be no way that the Prophet (sws) could have had knowledge of them - that he accepted faith. At this, Sayyidah Jawayriyyah also accepted faith. The Prophet (sws) proposed for her to which her father consented. Upon this, the marriage was solemnized. The result of this marriage was that all the remaining prisoners of war were set free by the Muslim soldiers, since they thought that it was not appropriate to keep the Prophet's in-laws in captivity.

So actually no such instance of sexual intercourse with the slave women took place. It is totally wrong that they were raped. Also today as far as prisoners of was are concerned, they cannot be taken to be slaves and sexually benefited from. After the abolition of slavery that took place in the time of the Prophet (sws) as described above, no one dare maltreat a p.o.w. let alone sexually harass them.

The following table presents the Meccan Surahs in chronological order. Please note that somewhat

unorthodox transliteration is due to font limitations for web pages. I think it will still make sense.

The columns for the first two tables are: Surah number in the Quran, transliteration of Quranic title,

translation of title, and a column of notes describing any exception to that chronological placement, etc.

Surah no. in quran

Quranic Title of Surah

Tranalation of Title

Any Exception

96

al-`Alaq

The Clot

68

al-Qalam

The Pen

except 17-33, 48-50, from Medinah

73

al-Muzammil

The Mantled One

except for 73.10-11, 20, from Medinah

74

al-Muddaththir

The Clothed One

1

al-Fātiĥah

The Opening

111

al-Lahab

The Flame

81

at-Takwīr

The Cessation

87

al-A`lā

The Most High

92

al-Layl

The Night

89

al-Fajr

The Dawn

93

aď-Ďuĥā

The Early Hours

94

al-Inshirāĥ

The Expansion

103

al-`Aşr

Time

100

al-`Ādiyāt

The Assaulters

108

al-Kauthar

Abundance

102

at-Takāthur

Worldly Gain

107

al-Mā`ūn

The Daily Necessaries

only 1-3; rest from Medinah

109

al-Kāfirūn

The Unbelievers

105

al-Fīl

The Elephant

113

al-Falaq

The Daybreak

114

an-Nās

The Men

112

al-Ikhlāş

The Unity

53

an-Najm

The Star

except 32, from Medinah

80

`Abasa

He Frowned

97

al-qadr

The Majesty

91

ash-Shams

The Sun

85

al-Burūj

The Constellations

95

at-Tin

The Fig

106

al-Quraysh

The Quraish

101

al-Qāri`ah

The Terrible Calamity

75

al-Qiyāmah

The Resurrection

104

al-Humazah

The Slanderer

77

al-Mursalāt

The Emissaries

except 48, from Medinah

50

Qāf

Qaf

except 38, from Medinah

90

al-Balad

The City

86

aţ-Ţāriq

The Night-Comer

54

al-Qamar

The Moon

except 44, 45, 46, from Medinah

38

Şād

Sad

7

al-A`rāf

The Elevated Places

except 163-170, from Medinah

72

al-Jinn

The Jinn

36

Yā Sīn

Ya Sin

except 45, from Medinah

25

al-Furqān

The Criterion

except 68, 69, 70, from Medinah

35

al-Fāţir

The Creator

19

Maryam

Mary

except 58, 71, from Medinah

20

Ţā Hā

Ta Ha

except 130, 131, from Medinah

56

al-Wāqi`ah

That Which is Coming

except 81, 82, from Medinah

26

ash-Shu`arā'

The Poets

except 197 and 224-end, from Medinah

27

an-Naml

The Ant

28

al-Qaşaş

The Narrative

except 52-55 from Medinah and 85 from Juhfah at the time of the Hijrah

17

Banī Isrā'īl

(or al-Isrā')

The Israelites

(or The Night Journey)

except 26, 32, 33, 57, 73-80, from Medinah

10

Yūnus

Jonah

except 40, 94, 95, 96, from Medinah

11

Hūd

Hud

except 12, 17, 114, from Medinah

12

Yūsuf

Joseph

except 1, 2, 3, 7, from Medinah

15

al-Ĥijr

The Rock

except 87, from Medinah

6

al-An`ām

The Cattle

except 20, 23, 91, 93, 114, 151, 152, 153, from Medinah

37

aş-Şāffāt

The Rangers

31

Luqmān

Lukman

except 27-29, from Medinah

34

Saba'

Sheba

39

AZ-Zumar

The Companies

40

al-Mu'min

The Forgiving One

except 56, 57, from Medinah

41

Ĥā Mim Sajdah

Revelations Well Expounded

42

ash-Shūrā

The Counsel

except 23, 24, 25, 27, from Medinah

43

AZ-Zukhruf

The Embellishment

except 54, from Medinah

44

ad-Dukhān

The Evident Smoke

45

al-Jāthiyah

The Kneeling

except 14, from Medinah

46

al-Aĥqāf

The Sandhills

except 10, 15, 35, from Medinah

51

adh-Dhāriyāt

The Scatterers

88

al-Ghāshiyah

The Overwhelming Calamity

18

al-Kahf

The Cave

except 28, 83-101, from Medinah

16

an-Naĥl

The Bee

except last three verses 126-128, from Medinah

71

Nūĥ

Noah

14

Ibrāhīm

Abraham

except 28, 29, from Medinah

21

al-Anbiyā'

The Prophets

23

al-Mu'minūn

The Believers

32

as-Sajdah

The Adoration

except 16-20, from Medinah

52

aţ-Ţūr

The Mountain

67

al-Mulk

The Kingdom

69

al-Ĥāqqah

The Inevitable

70

al-Ma`ārij

The Ladders

78

an-Naba'

The Tidings

79

an-Nāzi`āt

Those Who Pull Out

82

al-Infiţār

The Cleaving Asunder

84

al-Inshiqāq

The Rending

30

ar-Rūm

The Romans

except 17, from Medinah

29

al-`Ankabūt

The Spider

except 1-11, from Medinah

83

at-Taţfīf

The Defrauders

last from Mecca

Surah no. in quran

Quranic Title of Surah

Tranalation of Title

Any Exception

2

al-Baqarah

The Cow

except 281 from Mina at the time of the Last Hajj

8

al-Anfāl

The Spoils Of War

except 30-36 from Mecca

3

āl-Imrān

The Family Of Imran

33

al-Aĥzāb

The Allies

60

al-Mumtaĥanah

She Who is Tested

4

an-Nisā'

Women

99

al-Zilzāl

The Shaking

57

al-Ĥadid

The Iron

47

Muĥammad

Muhammad

except 13, from during the Hijrah

13

ar-Ra`d

The Thunder

55

ar-Raĥmān

The Merciful

76

ad-Dahr

The Man

65

aţ-Ţalāq

The Divorce

98

al-Bayyinah

The Proof

59

al-Ĥashr

The Exile

24

an-Nūr

The Light

22

al-Ĥajj

The Pilgrimage

except 52-55, from between Mecca and Medinah

63

al-Munāfiqūn

The Hypocrites

58

al-Mujādilah

She Who Pleaded

49

al-Ĥujurāt

The Chambers

66

at-Taĥrīm

The Prohibition

64

at-Taghābun

The Cheating

61

aş-Şaff

The Ranks

62

al-Jumu`ah

The Day of Congregation

48

al-Fatĥ

The Victory

while returning from Hudaybiyyah

5

al-Mā'idah

The Food

except 3, from Arafat on Last Hajj

9

at-Taubah

Repentance

except last two verses from Mecca

110

an-Naşr

The Help

last one, from Mina on Last Hajj

Answer 1 (Muslim's View):

Polygamy is a very ancient practice found in many human societies. The Bible did not condemn polygamy. To the contrary, the Old Testament and Rabbinic writings frequently attest to the legality of polygamy. King Solomon is said to have had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3) Also, king David is said to have had many wives and concubines (2 Samuel 5:13). The Old Testament does have some injunctions on how to distribute the property of a man among his sons from different wives (Deut. 22:7). The only restriction on polygamy is a ban on taking a wife's sister as a rival wife (Lev. 18:18). The Talmud advises a maximum of four wives. European Jews continued to practice polygamy until the tenth century. Oriental Jews regularly practiced polygamy until they arrived in Israel where it is forbidden under civil law. However, under religious law which overrides civil law in such cases, it is permissible.

What about the New Testament? According to Father Eugene Hillman in his insightful book, Polygamy Reconsidered, "Nowhere in the New Testament is there any explicit commandment that marriage should be monogamous or any explicit commandment forbidding polygamy." Moreover, Jesus has not spoken against polygamy and it was practiced by the Jews of his society. Father Hillman stresses the fact that the Church in Rome banned polygamy in order to conform to the Greco-Roman culture (which prescribed only one legal wife while tolerating concubinage and prostitution). He cited St. Augustine, "Now indeed in our time, and in keeping with Roman custom, it is no longer allowed to take another wife." African churches and African Christians often remind their European brothers that the Church's ban on polygamy is a cultural tradition and not an authentic Christian injunction.

The Quran, too, allowed polygamy, but not without restrictions: {If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justlywith them, then only one} [Quran, chapter 4, verse 3]. The Quran, contrary to the Bible, limited the maximum number of wives to four under the strict condition of treating the wives equally and justly.

It should not be understood that the Quran is exhorting the believers to practice polygamy, or that polygamy is considered as an ideal. In other words, the Quran has "tolerated" or "allowed" polygamy, and no more, but why?Why is polygamy permissible? The answer is simple: there are places and times in which there are compelling social and moral reasons for polygamy. As the above Quran verse indicates, the issue of polygamy in Islam cannot be understood apart from community obligations towards orphans and widows.

Islam as a universal religion suitable for all places and all times could not ignore these compelling obligations. In most human societies, females outnumber males. In the U.S. there are, at least, eight million more women than men. In a country like Guinea there are 122 females for every 100 males. In Tanzania, there are 95.1 males per 100 females. What should a society do towards such unbalanced sex ratios? There are various solutions, some might suggest celibacy, others would prefer female infanticide (which does happen in some societies in the world today!). Others may think the only outlet is that the society should tolerate all manners of sexual permissiveness: prostitution, sex out of wedlock, homosexuality, etc. For other societies, like most African societies today, the most honorable outlet is to allow polygamous marriage as a culturally accepted and socially respected institution. The point that is often misunderstood in the West is that women in other cultures do not necessarily look at polygamy as a sign of women's degradation. For example, many young African brides, whether Christians or Muslims or otherwise, would prefer to marry a married man who has already proved himself to be a responsible husband. Many African wives urge their husbands to get a second wife so that they do not feel lonely. A survey of over six thousand women, ranging in age from 15 to 59, conducted in the second largest city in Nigeria showed that 60 percent of these women would be pleased if their husbands took another wife. Only 23 percent expressed anger at the idea of sharing with another wife. Seventy-six percent of the women in a survey conducted in Kenya viewed polygamy positively. In a survey undertaken in rural Kenya, 25 out of 27 women considered polygamy to be better than monogamy. These women felt polygamy can be a happy and beneficial experience if the co-wives cooperate with each other. Polygamy in most African societies is such a respectable institution that some Protestant churches are becoming more tolerant of it. A bishop of the Anglican Church in Kenya declared that, "Although monogamy may be ideal for the expression of love between husband and wife, the church should consider that in certain cultures polygamy is socially acceptable and that the belief that polygyny is contrary to Christianity is no longer tenable." After a careful study of African polygamy, Reverend David Gitari of the Anglican Church has concluded that polygamy, as ideally practiced, is more Christian than divorce and remarriage as far as the abandoned wives and children are concerned. I personally know of some highly educated African wives who, despite having lived in the West for many years, do not have any objections against polygamy. One of them, who lives in the U.S., solemnly exhorts her husband to get a second wife to help her in raising the kids.

The problem of the unbalanced sex ratios becomes truly problematic at times of war. Native American Indian tribes used to suffer highly unbalanced sex ratios after wartime losses. Women in these tribes, who in fact enjoyed a fairly high status, accepted polygamy as the best protection against indulgence in indecent activities. European settlers, without offering any other alternative, condemned this Indian polygamy as

'uncivilized'. After the second world war, there were 7,300,000 more women than men in Germany (3.3 million of them were widows). There were 100 men aged 20 to 30 for every 167 women in that age group. Many of these women needed a man not only as a companion but also as a provider for the household in a time of unprecedented misery and hardship. The soldiers of the victorious Allied Armies exploited these women's vulnerability. Many young girls and widows had liaisons with members of the occupying forces. Many American and British soldiers paid for their pleasures in cigarettes, chocolate, and bread. Children were overjoyed at the gifts these strangers brought. A 10 year old boy on hearing of such gifts from other children wished from all his heart for an 'Englishman' for his mother so that she need not go hungry any longer. We have to ask our own conscience at this point: What is more dignifying to a woman? An accepted and respected second wife as in the native Indians' approach, or a virtual prostitute as in the 'civilized' Allies approach? In other words, what is more dignifying to a woman, the Quranic prescription or the theology based on the culture of the Roman Empire?

It is interesting to note that in an international youth conference held in Munich in 1948 the problem of the highly unbalanced sex ratio in Germany was discussed. When it became clear that no solution could be agreed upon, some participants suggested polygamy. The initial reaction of the gathering was a mixture of shock and disgust.

However, after a careful study of the proposal, the participants agreed that it was the only possible solution. Consequently, polygamy was included among the conference final recommendations. The world today possesses more weapons of mass destruction than ever before and the European churches might, sooner or later, be obliged to accept polygamy as the only way out. Father Hillman has thoughtfully recognized this fact, "It is quite conceivable that these genocidal techniques (nuclear, biological, chemical..) could produce so drastic an imbalance among the sexes that plural marriage would become a necessary means of survival....Then contrary to previous custom and law, an overriding natural and moral inclination might arise in favor of polygamy. In such a situation, theologians and church leaders would quickly produce weighty reasons and biblical texts to justify a new conception of marriage."

To the present day, polygamy continues to be a viable solution to some of the social ills of modern societies. The communal obligations that the Quran mentions in association with the permission of polygamy are more visible at present in some Western societies than in Africa. For example, In the United States today, there is a severe gender crisis in the black community. One out of every twenty young black males may die before reaching the age of 21. For those between 20 and 35 years of age, homicide is th leading cause of death. Besides, many young black males are unemployed, in jail, or on dope. As a result, one in four black women, at age 40, has never married, as compared with one in ten white women. Moreover, many young black females become single mothers before the age of 20 and find themselves in need of providers. The end result of these tragic circumstances is that an increasing number of black women are engaged in what is called 'man-sharing'. That is, many of these hapless single black women are involved in affairs with married men. The wives are often unaware of the fact that other women are 'sharing' their husbands with them. Some observers of the crisis of man-sharing in the African American community strongly recommend consensual polygamy as a temporary answer to the shortage of black males until more comprehensive reforms in the American society at large are undertaken. By consensual polygamy they mean a polygamy that is sanctioned by the community and to which all the parties involved have agreed, as opposed to the usually secret man-sharing which is detrimental both to the wife and to the community in general. The problem of man-sharing in the African American community was the topic of a panel discussion held at Temple University in Philadelphia on January 27, 1993. Some of the speakers recommended polygamy as one potential remedy for the crisis. They also suggested that polygamy should not be banned by law, particularly in a society that tolerates prostitution and mistresses. The comment of one woman from the audience that African Americans needed to learn from Africa where polygamy was responsibly practiced elicited enthusiastic applause.

Philip Kilbride, an American anthropologist of Roman Catholic heritage, in his provocative book, Plural Marriage for Our Time, proposes polygamy as a solution to some of the ills of the American society at large. He argues that plural marriage may serve as an potential alternative for divorce in many cases in order to obviate the damaging impact of divorce on many children. He maintains that many divorces are caused by the rampant extramarital affairs in the American society. According to Kilbride, ending an extramarital affair in a polygamous marriage, rather than in a divorce, is better for the children, "Children would be better served if family augmentation rather than only separation and dissolution were seen as options." Moreover, he suggests that other groups will also benefit from plural marriage such as: elderly women who face a chronic

shortage of men and the African Americans who are involved in man-sharing. In 1987, a poll conducted by the student newspaper at the university of California at Berkeley asked the students whether they agreed that men should be allowed by law to have more than one wife in response to a perceived shortage of male marriage candidates in California. Almost all of the students polled approved of the idea. One female student even stated that a polygamous marriage would fulfill her emotional and physical needs while giving her greater freedom than a monogamous union. In fact, this same argument is also used by the few remaining fundamentalist Mormon women who still practice polygamy in the U.S. They believe that polygamy is an ideal way for a woman to have both a career and children since the wives help each other care for the children.

It has to be added that polygamy in Islam is a matter of mutual consent. No one can force a woman to marry a married man. Besides, the wife has the right to stipulate that her husband must not marry any other woman as a second wife. The Bible, on the other hand, sometimes resorts to forcible polygamy. A childless widow must marry her husband's brother, even if he is already married regardless of her consent (Genesis 38:8-10).

It should be noted that in many Muslim societies today the practice of polygamy is rare since the gap between the numbers of both sexes is not huge. One can, safely, say that the rate of polygamous marriages in the Muslim world is much less than the rate of extramarital affairs in the West. In other words, men in the Muslim world today are far more strictly monogamous than men in the Western world. Billy Graham, the eminent Christian evangelist has recognized this fact: "Christianity cannot compromise on the question of polygamy. If present-day Christianity cannot do so, it is to its own detriment. Islam has permitted polygamy as a solution to social ills and has allowed a certain degree of latitude to human nature but only within the strictly defined framework of the law. Christian countries make a great show of monogamy, but actually they practice polygamy. No one is unaware of the part mistresses play in Western society. In this respect Islam is a fundamentally honest religion, and permits a Muslim to marry a second wife if he must, but strictly forbids all clandestine amatory associations in order to safeguard the moral probity of the community."

It is of interest to note that many, non-Muslim as well as Muslim, countries in the world today have outlawed polygamy. Taking a second wife, even with the free consent of the first wife, is a violation of the law. On the other hand, cheating on the wife, without her knowledge or consent, is perfectly legitimate as far as the law is concerned! What is the legal wisdom behind such a contradiction? Is the law designed to reward deception and punish honesty? It is one of the unfathomable paradoxes of our modern 'civilized' world.

Answer 2 (Jewish View)

According to the Talmudic rules and Jewish tradition surrounding polygamy in the Tanach (Jewish Bible), a man can have no more than 4 wives and each wife has to have her own house with each house being of identical value to the other houses.

Polygamy was mainly practiced among the kings, while it was relatively rare among the general Jewish populace. Not a single Talmud-sage, for example, had more than one wife.

Polygamy was banned by Rabbi Gershom in the 10th century CE; and this decree was accepted by all Ashkenazic (European) Jews. Jews from Arab countries were permitted to keep their multiple wives when they immigrated to Israel, but new polygamous marriages are not permitted. Sefardic Jews today do not engage in polygamy, in order to comply with Israeli law and cultural norms.

construction,conduct

3-letter words

con

4-letter words

cone, coni, conk, conn, cons, cony

5-letter words

conch, condo, coned, cones, coney, conga, conge, congo, conic, conin, conks, conky, conns, conte, conto, conus

6-letter words

concha, conchs, conchy, concur, condom, condor, condos, coneys, confab, confer, congas, congee, conger, conges, congii, congos, congou, conics, conies, conine, coning, conins, conium, conked, conker, conned, conner, conoid, consol, consul, contes, contos, contra, convex, convey, convoy

7-letter words

conatus, concave, conceal, concede, conceit, concent, concept, concern, concert, conchae, conchal, conches, conchie, concise, concoct, concord, concurs, concuss, condemn, condign, condoes, condole, condoms, condone, condors, conduce, conduct, conduit, condyle, confabs, confect, confers, confess, confide, confine, confirm, conflux, conform, confuse, confute, congaed, congeal, congeed, congees, congers, congest, congius, congoes, congous, conical, conidia, conifer, coniine, conines, coniums, conjoin, conjure, conkers, conking, connate, connect, conners, conning, connive, connote, conoids, conquer, consent, consign, consist, console, consols, consort, consuls, consult, consume, contact, contain, contemn, contend, content, contest, context, contort, contour, contras, control, contuse, convect, convene, convent, convert, conveys, convict, convoke, convoys

8-letter words

conation, conative, concaved, concaves, conceals, conceded, conceder, concedes, conceits, conceive, concents, concepts, concerns, concerti, concerto, concerts, conchies, conchoid, conciser, conclave, conclude, concocts, concords, concrete, condemns, condense, condoled, condoler, condoles, condoned, condoner, condones, condores, conduced, conducer, conduces, conducts, conduits, condylar, condyles, conelrad, conenose, conepate, conepatl, confects, conferee, conferva, confetti, confetto, confided, confider, confides, confined, confiner, confines, confirms, conflate, conflict, confocal, conforms, confound, confrere, confront, confused, confuses, confuted, confuter, confutes, congaing, congeals, congener, congests, conglobe, congrats, congress, conicity, conidial, conidian, conidium, conifers, coniines, conioses, coniosis, conjoins, conjoint, conjugal, conjunct, conjured, conjurer, conjures, conjuror, connects, connived, conniver, connives, connoted, connotes, conodont, conoidal, conquers, conquest, conquian, consents, conserve, consider, consigns, consists, consoled, consoler, consoles, consomme, consorts, conspire, constant, construe, consular, consults, consumed, consumer, consumes, contacts, contagia, contains, contemns, contempt, contends, contents, contests, contexts, continua, continue, continuo, contorts, contours, contract, contrail, contrary, contrast, contrite, contrive, controls, contused, contuses, convects, convened, convener, convenes, convenor, convents, converge, converse, converts, convexes, convexly, conveyed, conveyer, conveyor, convicts, convince, convoked, convoker, convokes, convolve, convoyed, convulse

9-letter words

conations, concaving, concavity, concealed, concealer, conceders, conceding, conceited, conceived, conceiver, conceives, concenter, conceptus, concerned, concerted, concertos, conchoids, concierge, conciliar, concisely, concisest, concision, conclaves, concluded, concluder, concludes, concocted, concocter, concordat, concourse, concreted, concretes, concubine, concurred, concussed, concusses, condemned, condemner, condemnor, condensed, condenser, condenses, condignly, condiment, condition, condolers, condoling, condoners, condoning, conducers, conducing, conducive, conducted, conductor, condyloid, condyloma, conelrads, conenoses, conepates, conepatls, confabbed, confected, conferees, conferral, conferred, conferrer, confervae, confervas, confessed, confesses, confessor, confidant, confident, confiders, confiding, configure, confiners, confining, confirmed, confiteor, confiture, conflated, conflates, conflicts, confluent, confluxes, conformal, conformed, conformer, confounds, confreres, confronts, confusing, confusion, confuters, confuting, congealed, congeeing, congeners, congenial, congeries, congested, conglobed, conglobes, congruent, congruity, congruous, conically, conjoined, conjugant, conjugate, conjuncts, conjurers, conjuring, conjurors, connately, connected, connecter, connector, connexion, connivent, connivers, conniving, connoting, connubial, conodonts, conominee, conquered, conqueror, conquests, conquians, conscious, conscribe, conscript, consensus, consented, consenter, conserved, conserver, conserves, considers, consigned, consignee, consignor, consisted, consolers, consoling, consommes, consonant, consorted, consortia, conspired, conspires, constable, constancy, constants, constrain, constrict, construct, construed, construes, consulate, consulted, consulter, consultor, consumers, consuming, contacted, contagion, contagium, contained, container, contemned, contemner, contemnor, contempts, contended, contender, contented, contested, contester, continent, continual, continued, continuer, continues, continuos, continuum, contorted, contoured, contracts, contrails, contralto, contrasts, contrasty, contrived, contriver, contrives, contumacy, contumely, contusing, contusion, conundrum, convected, convector, conveners, convening, convenors, convented, converged, converges, conversed, converser, converses, converted, converter, convertor, convexity, conveyers, conveying, conveyors, convicted, convinced, convincer, convinces, convivial, convokers, convoking, convolute, convolved, convolves, convoying, convulsed, convulses

10-letter words

concealers, concealing, concededly, conceiting, conceivers, conceiving, concenters, concentric, conception, conceptive, conceptual, concerning, concertina, concerting, concertino, concertize, concession, concessive, conchoidal, conchology, concierges, conciliate, concinnity, concisions, concluders, concluding, conclusion, conclusive, conclusory, concocters, concocting, concoction, concoctive, concordant, concordats, concourses, concretely, concreting, concretion, concretism, concretist, concretize, concubines, concurrent, concurring, concussing, concussion, concussive, condemners, condemning, condemnors, condensate, condensers, condensing, condescend, condiments, conditions, condolence, condonable, conducting, conduction, conductive, conductors, condylomas, coneflower, confabbing, confecting, confection, confederal, conference, conferment, conferrals, conferrers, conferring, confessing, confession, confessors, confidante, confidants, confidence, configured, configures, confirmand, confirming, confiscate, confiteors, confitures, conflating, conflation, conflicted, confluence, confluents, confocally, conformers, conforming, conformism, conformist, conformity, confounded, confounder, confrontal, confronted, confronter, confusedly, confusions, congealing, congeneric, congenital, congesting, congestion, congestive, conglobate, conglobing, congregant, congregate, congressed, congresses, congruence, congruency, conicities, coniferous, conjecture, conjoining, conjointly, conjugally, conjugants, conjugated, conjugates, connatural, connecters, connecting, connection, connective, connectors, connexions, conniption, connivance, conominees, conquering, conquerors, conscience, conscribed, conscribes, conscripts, consecrate, consensual, consenters, consenting, consequent, conservers, conserving, considered, consignees, consigning, consignors, consistent, consisting, consistory, consociate, consonance, consonancy, consonants, consorting, consortium, conspectus, conspiracy, conspiring, constables, constantan, constantly, constative, constipate, constitute, constrains, constraint, constricts, constringe, constructs, construing, consuetude, consulates, consulship, consultant, consulters, consulting, consultive, consultors, consumable, consumedly, consummate, contacting, contagions, contagious, containers, containing, contemners, contemning, contemnors, contenders, contending, contenting, contention, contestant, contesters, contesting, contextual, contexture, contiguity, contiguous, continence, continents, contingent, continuant, continuate, continuers, continuing, continuity, continuous, continuums, contorting, contortion, contortive, contouring, contraband, contrabass, contracted, contractor, contradict, contraltos, contrarian, contraries, contrarily, contrasted, contravene, contribute, contritely, contrition, contrivers, contriving, controlled, controller, controvert, contusions, conundrums, convalesce, convecting, convection, convective, convectors, convenient, conventing, convention, conventual, convergent, converging, conversant, conversely, conversers, conversing, conversion, converters, converting, convertors, conveyance, convicting, conviction, convincers, convincing, convoluted, convolutes, convolving, convolvuli, convulsant, convulsing, convulsion, convulsive

11-letter words

concatenate, concavities, concealable, concealment, conceitedly, conceivable, conceivably, concentered, concentrate, conceptacle, conceptions, conceptuses, concernment, concertedly, concertgoer, concertinas, concertinos, concertized, concertizes, concessions, conciliarly, conciliated, conciliates, conciliator, conciseness, conclusions, concoctions, concomitant, concordance, concrescent, concretions, concretisms, concretists, concretized, concretizes, concubinage, concurrence, concurrency, concurrents, concussions, condemnable, condensable, condensates, condensible, condescends, condimental, conditional, conditioned, conditioner, condolatory, condolences, condominium, condonation, condottiere, condottieri, conductance, conductible, conductions, conductress, condylomata, coneflowers, confabulate, confections, confederacy, confederate, conferences, conferments, conferrable, conferrence, confessable, confessedly, confessions, confidantes, confidences, confidently, confidingly, configuring, confinement, confirmable, confirmands, confirmedly, confiscable, confiscated, confiscates, confiscator, conflagrant, conflations, conflictful, conflicting, confliction, conflictive, conflictual, confluences, conformable, conformably, conformance, conformisms, conformists, confounders, confounding, confrontals, confronters, confronting, confusingly, confusional, confutation, confutative, congealment, congelation, congenerous, congenially, congestions, conglobated, conglobates, congregants, congregated, congregates, congregator, congressing, congressman, congressmen, congruences, congruently, congruities, congruously, conjectural, conjectured, conjecturer, conjectures, conjugality, conjugately, conjugating, conjugation, conjunction, conjunctiva, conjunctive, conjuncture, conjuration, connectable, connectedly, connectible, connections, connectives, conniptions, connivances, connoisseur, connotation, connotative, connubially, consanguine, consciences, consciouses, consciously, conscribing, conscripted, consecrated, consecrates, consecrator, consecution, consecutive, consensuses, consequence, consequents, conservancy, conservator, considerate, considering, consigliere, consiglieri, consignable, consignment, consistence, consistency, consociated, consociates, consolation, consolatory, consolidate, consolingly, consonances, consonantal, consonantly, consortiums, conspecific, conspicuity, conspicuous, conspirator, constancies, constantans, constatives, constellate, consternate, constipated, constipates, constituent, constituted, constitutes, constrained, constraints, constricted, constrictor, constringed, constringes, construable, constructed, constructor, consuetudes, consulships, consultancy, consultants, consumables, consumerism, consumerist, consummated, consummates, consummator, consumption, consumptive, containable, containment, contaminant, contaminate, contemplate, contentedly, contentions, contentious, contentment, contestable, contestants, contextless, contextures, continences, continental, continently, contingence, contingency, contingents, continually, continuance, continuants, continuator, contortions, contrabands, contractile, contracting, contraction, contractive, contractors, contractual, contracture, contradicts, contraption, contrarians, contrariety, contrarious, contrasting, contrastive, contravened, contravener, contravenes, contredanse, contretemps, contributed, contributes, contributor, contritions, contrivance, controllers, controlling, controlment, controversy, controverts, contumacies, contumelies, conurbation, convalesced, convalesces, convections, convenience, conveniency, conventicle, conventions, conventuals, convergence, convergency, conversable, conversance, conversancy, conversions, convertible, convertibly, convexities, conveyancer, conveyances, conveyorise, conveyorize, convictions, convivially, convocation, convoluting, convolution, convolvulus, convulsants, convulsions

12-letter words

concanavalin, concatenated, concatenates, concealingly, concealments, concelebrant, concelebrate, concentering, concentrated, concentrates, concentrator, conceptacles, conceptional, conceptually, concernments, concertgoers, concertgoing, concertizing, concessional, concessioner, concessively, conchoidally, conchologies, conchologist, conciliating, conciliation, conciliative, conciliators, conciliatory, concinnities, conclusively, concomitance, concomitants, concordances, concordantly, concrescence, concreteness, concretizing, concubinages, concupiscent, concurrences, concurrently, condemnation, condemnatory, condensation, condescended, conditionals, conditioners, conditioning, condominiums, condonations, conductances, conductivity, conductorial, conduplicate, confabulated, confabulates, confabulator, confectioner, confederated, confederates, conferencing, conferential, conferrences, confessional, confidential, confinements, confirmation, confirmatory, confiscating, confiscation, confiscators, confiscatory, conflictions, conformances, conformation, conformities, confoundedly, confusedness, confutations, congealments, congelations, congeniality, congenitally, conglobating, conglobation, conglomerate, conglutinate, congratulate, congregating, congregation, congregators, congruencies, conidiophore, conjecturers, conjecturing, conjugations, conjunctions, conjunctivae, conjunctival, conjunctivas, conjunctives, conjunctures, conjurations, connaturally, connectional, connectively, connectivity, connoisseurs, connotations, connubialism, connubiality, conquistador, conscionable, conscripting, conscription, consecrating, consecration, consecrative, consecrators, consecratory, consecutions, consensually, consentingly, consequences, consequently, conservation, conservatism, conservative, conservatize, conservators, conservatory, considerable, considerably, consignation, consignments, consistences, consistently, consistorial, consistories, consociating, consociation, consolations, consolidated, consolidates, consolidator, consonancies, conspecifics, conspectuses, conspiracies, conspiration, conspirators, constabulary, constellated, constellates, consternated, consternates, constipating, constipation, constituency, constituents, constituting, constitution, constitutive, constraining, constricting, constriction, constrictive, constrictors, constringent, constringing, constructing, construction, constructive, constructors, consultation, consultative, consumerisms, consumerists, consumership, consummately, consummating, consummation, consummative, consummators, consummatory, consumptions, consumptives, contagiously, containerise, containerize, containments, contaminants, contaminated, contaminates, contaminator, contemplated, contemplates, contemplator, contemporary, contemporize, contemptible, contemptibly, contemptuous, contentments, conterminous, contestation, contextually, contiguities, contiguously, continentals, contingences, contingently, continuances, continuation, continuative, continuators, continuingly, continuities, continuously, contrabasses, contractible, contractions, contractures, contradicted, contradictor, contraoctave, contraptions, contrapuntal, contrariness, contrariwise, contrastable, contraveners, contravening, contredanses, contributing, contribution, contributive, contributors, contributory, contriteness, contrivances, controllable, controlments, controverted, controverter, contumacious, contumelious, conurbations, convalescent, convalescing, convectional, conveniences, conveniently, conventicler, conventicles, conventional, conventually, convergences, conversances, conversation, conversional, convertibles, conveyancers, conveyancing, conveyorised, conveyorises, conveyorized, conveyorizes, convincingly, conviviality, convocations, convolutions, convulsively

13-letter words

concanavalins, concatenating, concatenation, conceitedness, concelebrants, concelebrated, concelebrates, concentrating, concentration, concentrative, concentrators, concentricity, conceptualise, conceptualism, conceptualist, conceptuality, conceptualize, concertedness, concertgoings, concertmaster, concessionary, concessioners, conchologists, conciliations, concisenesses, conclusionary, concomitances, concomitantly, concrescences, concretionary, concupiscence, concupiscible, concurrencies, condemnations, condensations, condescending, condescension, conditionable, conditionally, conduciveness, conductresses, condylomatous, confabulating, confabulation, confabulators, confabulatory, confectionary, confectioners, confectionery, confederacies, confederating, confederation, confederative, conferencings, confessionals, confidingness, configuration, configurative, confirmations, confirmedness, confiscatable, confiscations, conflagration, conflictingly, conformations, confoundingly, confraternity, confrontation, conglobations, conglomerated, conglomerates, conglomeratic, conglomerator, conglutinated, conglutinates, congratulated, congratulates, congratulator, congregations, congressional, congresswoman, congresswomen, congruousness, conidiophores, conjecturally, conjugalities, conjugateness, conjugational, conjunctional, conjunctively, connaturality, connectedness, connotational, connotatively, connubialisms, conquistadors, consanguinity, conscientious, consciousness, conscriptions, consecrations, consecutively, consentaneous, consequential, conservancies, conservations, conservatisms, conservatives, conservatized, conservatizes, conservatoire, considerables, considerately, consideration, consignations, consistencies, consociations, consolidating, consolidation, consolidators, conspicuities, conspicuously, conspirations, constellating, constellation, constellatory, consternating, consternation, constipations, constituently, constitutions, constrainedly, constrictions, constructible, constructions, consultancies, consultations, consumeristic, consumerships, consummations, consumptively, containerised, containerises, containerized, containerizes, containerless, containerport, containership, contaminating, contamination, contaminative, contaminators, contemplating, contemplation, contemplative, contemplators, contemporized, contemporizes, contentedness, contentiously, contestations, contextualize, continentally, contingencies, continuations, contortionist, contrabandist, contrabassist, contrabassoon, contraception, contraceptive, contractility, contractional, contractually, contradicting, contradiction, contradictors, contradictory, contralateral, contraoctaves, contrapuntist, contrarieties, contrastively, contravention, contributions, controversial, controversies, controverters, controverting, convalescence, convalescents, conveniencies, conventiclers, conventioneer, convergencies, conversancies, conversations, conversazione, conversazioni, convertaplane, convertiplane, conveyancings, conveyorising, conveyorizing, convocational, convolvuluses, convulsionary

14-letter words

concatenations, conceivability, concelebrating, concelebration, concentratedly, concentrations, concentrically, conceptualised, conceptualises, conceptualisms, conceptualists, conceptualized, conceptualizer, conceptualizes, concertmasters, concertmeister, concessionaire, conclusiveness, concretenesses, concretization, concupiscences, condensational, condescendence, condescensions, conditionality, conductibility, conductimetric, conductivities, conductometric, confabulations, confederations, confessionally, confidentially, configurations, confirmability, confirmational, conflagrations, conformational, confrontations, confusednesses, congenialities, conglomerateur, conglomerating, conglomeration, conglomerative, conglomerators, conglutinating, conglutination, congratulating, congratulation, congratulators, congratulatory, congregational, congresspeople, congressperson, conjunctivites, conjunctivitis, connectivities, connubialities, conquistadores, consanguineous, conscienceless, conservational, conservatively, conservatizing, conservatoires, conservatorial, conservatories, considerations, consociational, consolidations, conspirational, conspiratorial, constabularies, constellations, consternations, constituencies, constitutional, constitutively, constructional, constructively, constructivism, constructivist, consubstantial, consuetudinary, consultantship, contagiousness, containerboard, containerising, containerizing, containerports, containerships, contaminations, contemplations, contemplatives, contemporaries, contemporarily, contemporizing, contemptuously, conterminously, contextualized, contextualizes, contiguousness, continuousness, contortionists, contrabandists, contrabassists, contrabassoons, contraceptions, contraceptives, contractionary, contradictable, contradictions, contradictious, contraindicate, contraposition, contrapositive, contrapuntally, contrapuntists, contrarinesses, contraventions, contributively, contritenesses, controllership, controvertible, contumaciously, contumeliously, convalescences, conventionally, conventioneers, conversational, conversaziones, convertaplanes, convertibility, convertiplanes, convincingness, convivialities, convulsiveness

15-letter words

conceitednesses, conceivableness, concelebrations, concentricities, conceptualising, conceptualistic, conceptualities, conceptualizers, conceptualizing, concertednesses, concertmeisters, concessionaires, concretizations, condescendences, condescendingly, conducivenesses, confectionaries, confectioneries, confessionalism, confessionalist, confidentiality, confidingnesses, configurational, confirmednesses, confraternities, confrontational, conglomerateurs, conglomerations, conglutinations, congratulations, congressionally, congresspersons, congruousnesses, conjugatenesses, conjugationally, conjunctionally, connaturalities, connectednesses, connoisseurship, consanguinities, conscientiously, consciousnesses, consecutiveness, consentaneously, consequentially, conservationist, conservatorship, considerateness, conspicuousness, constitutionals, constructionist, constructivisms, constructivists, consultantships, containerboards, contemplatively, contemporaneity, contemporaneous, contemptibility, contentednesses, contentiousness, contextualizing, contortionistic, contractibility, contractilities, contradictories, contradictorily, contraindicated, contraindicates, contrapositions, contrapositives, controllability, controllerships, controversially, conventionalism, conventionalist, conventionality, conventionalize, convertibleness, conveyorization

16-letter words

conceivabilities, conclusivenesses, conditionalities, conductibilities, confessionalisms, confessionalists, confirmabilities, confrontationist, conjunctivitides, conjunctivitises, connoisseurships, consanguineously, consequentiality, conservationists, conservativeness, conservatorships, conspiratorially, constitutionally, constitutionless, constructionally, constructionists, constructiveness, contagiousnesses, containerisation, containerization, contemptibleness, contemptuousness, contiguousnesses, continuousnesses, contraindicating, contraindication, controversialism, controversialist, conventionalisms, conventionalists, conventionalized, conventionalizes, conversationally, convertibilities, conveyorizations, convincingnesses, convulsivenesses

17-letter words

conceivablenesses, conceptualization, confidentialities, configurationally, confrontationists, congregationalism, congregationalist, conscientiousness, consecutivenesses, consequentialness, consideratenesses, conspicuousnesses, constitutionalism, constitutionalist, constitutionality, constitutionalize, consubstantiation, containerisations, containerizations, contemplativeness, contemporaneities, contemporaneously, contemptibilities, contentiousnesses, contractibilities, contradictoriness, contradistinction, contradistinctive, contradistinguish, contraindications, controllabilities, controversialisms, controversialists, conventionalities, conventionalizing, conversationalist, convertiblenesses

18-letter words

conceptualizations, congregationalisms, congregationalists, consequentialities, conservativenesses, constitutionalisms, constitutionalists, constitutionalized, constitutionalizes, constructivenesses, consubstantiations, contemptiblenesses, contemptuousnesses, contradistinctions, conversationalists

19-letter words

conceptualistically, conscientiousnesses, consequentialnesses, constitutionalities, constitutionalizing, contemplativenesses, contemporaneousness, contradictorinesses, contradistinctively, contradistinguished, contradistinguishes, conventionalization

20-letter words

contradistinguishing, conventionalizations

21-letter words

constitutionalization, contemporaneousnesses

22-letter words

constitutionalizations

1944 words found.