In a major ideological shift, the Darul Uloom at Deoband has advised against multiple marriages, a common act under Islamic law.

Replying to the query of a married man, who wanted to wed a second time, the institution said having one wife was 'more Indian', as well as logical in modern times. The man has two children from his first marriage.

"According to Shariah, it is lawful to keep two wives at the same time. But it is generally not acceptable in Indian customs," Darul Ifta, the online fatwa department of the famous Sunni seminary, said in its reply.

"Here in India, it is like inviting hundreds of problems. Moreover, the husband generally cannot do justice and cannot maintain equality between two wives. Hence, it is better to have only one wife as the Quran has said. You should discard the idea of a second marriage; otherwise you would feel sorry."

Elaborating the reasons behind this fatwa and its consequences within the Muslim community, Maulana Mufti Arshad Faruqi, chairman of the fatwa department, also known as Madrassa Jamia Imam Mohammad Anwar Shah, said, "It is absolutely unacceptable that someone gets married for the second or third time without any valid reason. More precisely, minor disputes within the family can never be a reason.

"Shariah gives a Muslim the right to keep four wives at a time. But in that case it becomes the responsibility of the man to give equal rights and a decent life to all four wives. If he fails in doing so, his marriage cannot be justified."

Dr Naeem Hamid, a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), supported the fatwa and said, "Polygamy or more than one marriage was permitted in the past because of various social and economic reasons. Many girls used to remain unmarried due to poor financial condition of their parents. So rich people were allowed to marry up to four times. But times have changed."

"Now the Muslims avoid a second marriage, let alone four marriages. They are conscious about their economic condition and act accordingly. It is true that there is no need for a second marriage if it adversely affects the family financially.

"Darul Uloom used to support plural marriages in the past. But now they are concerned about uplifting the community. Obviously they will discourage more than one marriage," he said.