If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband?

Islam holds that men and women are equal in their spiritual standing, rights, and dignity, but they are not identical — they have different biological capabilities, physiological characteristics, and complementary roles.

The primary reason polyandry is prohibited is the right of children to know their father. If a woman has multiple husbands, it becomes impossible to determine paternity with certainty, which causes psychological damage to the child and legal complications regarding inheritance, guardianship, and lineage. Every child deserves to know both parents and have a clear family identity.

The Qur'an explicitly prohibits marrying women who are already married, establishing monogamy for women as a clear legal principle.

From a medical standpoint, having multiple sexual partners significantly increases the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. This affects the health of all parties involved, including children born from such arrangements.

It is worth noting that while Islam permits a man to have up to four wives, it is not a blanket permission — it carries strict conditions of justice and equal treatment. The Qur'an itself acknowledges that perfect justice between wives is nearly impossible, effectively discouraging the practice except in cases of genuine need.