Russia’s top Islamic body has withdrawn a controversial document that allowed Muslim men to have multiple wives after facing backlash from the public and officials. Critics highlighted that polygamy is illegal under Russian law.
The document, issued on December 17 by the Council of Scholars of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia (DUM), outlined specific conditions under which Muslim men could engage in religious marriages with up to four women. These included equal material support, separate living spaces, and equal time for each wife.
The council emphasized that religious Islamic marriages are not recognized by the Russian state and carry no legal consequences. However, the document faced widespread criticism online and from officials, including Kirill Kabanov of the presidential Human Rights Council, who accused the DUM of attempting to impose Sharia law in violation of the Russian Constitution.
Nina Ostanina, head of the parliamentary family affairs committee, condemned the ruling, saying it undermined Russian secularism and contradicted traditional values.
In response, the Prosecutor General’s Office declared the fatwa illegal, stating it conflicted with the nation’s state family policies. Hours later, the DUM withdrew the fatwa, citing public reaction and the prosecutor’s notification.
Shamil Alyautdinov, the council’s chairman, explained on Telegram that the council saw no value in continuing the debate and acknowledged that Russian law supersedes religious rulings.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions between religious practices and secular laws in Russia. Muslim-majority regions such as Chechnya, Dagestan, Tatarstan, and Bashkortostan, along with urban Muslim minorities, reflect a complex interplay of faith and governance in the country.
With approximately 10% of Russia’s population identifying as Muslim, the issue highlights broader discussions about the role of religion in a secular state.
