Sisters In Islam Zainah Anwar's letter on a man of law using his legal expertise to get out from a messy divorce case (besides the larger issue of polygamy among Muslims in this country) is very thought-provoking and very articulate.

One cannot just dismiss her arguments that men who practice polygamy cannot be fair to their wives in the true sense of the word. Press report have documented husbands who have been splashed with acid and husbands who have tried to commit suicide after failing to stop their wives from quarreling. Just shows that the adage 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' is true.

Male Muslims should understand that although it is their right to marry more than one, this comes with a great responsibility. You need extra funds not to mention that quality time with your first family will be compromised if you marry more than one. You just cannot say that you are following the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. teachings in marrying more than one.

I am not proposing that all Muslim men should remain monogamous as there are a myriad of reasons why men marry more than one woman, particularly in the later stages of their (the men's) lives.

I suppose if the wife is barren or can't perform her conjugal duties due to ill health, then a Muslim man may take a new bride. Also, Muslim men whose sexual appetites cannot be satisfied by only one wife only should be allowed to marry more rather than living in sin by going to prostitutes to satisfy their lust.

Muslims women, now with a better education level than their mothers and grandmothers, should also know how to keep their husbands happy, respecting them as the leader of the family. They also shouldn't leave the raising of their children to the servants only.

As for me, I rather stick to my one and present wife as she has stayed with me through thick and thin during our nearly 20 years of marriage. But I also know for a fact that there are women out there who want to marry the husbands of others just to enjoy the latter's money and position - not because of love.