In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” [Genesis 2:24] This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. - Ephesians 5:28-32 (NIV)
Beloved Muslim woman, are you accused of jealousy for not wanting to share your husband with other women and houris? As a Muslim woman, you possibly know all too well that Muslim men can have up to 4 wives at a time, as well as captives.
This is based on Sura 4:3 (Y. Ali):
If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
You also possibly know that in the Islamic concept of Paradise, companions (houris) are promised to worthy Muslim men. These houris (companions) are described in Sura 56:22-38 (Y. Ali):
And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes, Like unto Pearls well-guarded. A Reward for the deeds of their past (life). Not frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill, Only the saying, "Peace! Peace". The Companions of the Right Hand, what will be the Companions of the Right Hand? (They will be) among Lote-trees without thorns, Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another, In shade long-extended, By water flowing constantly, And fruit in abundance. Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden, And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high. We have created (their Companions) of special creation. And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), - Beloved (by nature), equal in age, For the Companions of the Right Hand.
Dear Muslim woman, do you currently share your husband with other wives and are having a hard time with this? Or, do you have a fear that your husband will marry other women? Do you secretly question why the Islamic concept of Paradise is a harem?
If so, Jesus Christ has the answer for you. When he was asked about divorce, Jesus Christ confirmed God’s ideal for marriage:
When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ [Gen. 1:27] and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ [Gen. 2:24]? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Matthew 19:1-6 (NIV)
Jesus Christ quoted the Scripture that God gave to Moses, which teaches that God created two people – a man and a woman – to be one flesh. This is God’s ideal for marriage.
The reason your heart hurts at the thought of sharing your husband with other women is due to God’s ideal rooted in your heart. Sadly, some men have gone astray from God’s ideal. This is why it is so important to know and obey God’s Word that He gave to Moses, and which Jesus Christ confirms and fulfills.
When talking about the resurrection, Jesus Christ made it clear that marriage (which includes having sex) is not a part of the afterlife.
Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ [Exodus 3:6]? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.” – Matthew 22:29-33 (NIV)
The idea of an eternal harem in the afterlife is a great way to manipulate men into fighting and dying for a cause. The ability to marry up to 4 women on earth effectively multiplies a population with a decidedly assertive worldview. It is also a way to deal with captives or orphans of a defeated people – by marrying their girls and women when their men have been killed in battle. Thus, logical reasons are why some worldviews include polygamy and the promise of an eternal harem.
Now, dear Muslim woman, do you have a reason to be jealous if you are forced to share your husband with other women? Yes you do. Jesus Christ shows you why; because God’s ideal for marriage is not one man married to four women, but rather one man and one woman being one flesh. This is beautiful and deep down in your core, you know this is pleasing to you and our Creator.
God created you and loves you, and He wants the best for you. He is the Perfect Gentleman; He gives you the free will to choose Him or reject Him. In the Bible, God uses the intimate symbol of a bridegroom to show His tender love to His people. His people are symbolized by a bride.
Beloved, you are beloved of God. He loves you with an everlasting love, and He wants you to experience His peace and joy in your life. His ideal of marriage for you on earth is to be loved by a husband who loves Him and who loves you, and only you, as his only wife. His Paradise for you includes not being included among houris as part of an eternal harem, but rather as being in His blissful presence, in His mansion where Jesus is preparing room for you (John 14:1-3).
Beloved Muslim woman, the answer you are looking for is Jesus Christ. Please call on him and ask him to lead you. If you would like prayer and counseling, please contact me. I love you. God, our Creator, loves you far more than any human can. May God greatly bless you, and give you peace in the name of Jesus Christ.