What is the ruling on a man marrying more than four slave women if he cannot control his desires (fears 'unnt)?
Chapter on What is Prohibited to Marry and Combining Between Them and Other Matters
Al-Mughni
Book of Marriage
Primary text
If a man fears incontinence ('unnt) and cannot exercise self-control, he is permitted to marry up to four women, which includes slave women. This is the position supported by Al-Zuhri, Al-Harith Al-'Uqli, Malik, and the Ashab al-Ra'y. The evidence supporting this general permission is derived from the general applicability of Quran 4:25, which states, "And whoever among you cannot afford the means to marry believing free women, then from those whom your right hands possess of your believing slave girls." This allowance applies because he lacks the means to afford a free woman, fears incontinence, and thus is permitted the marriage to a slave woman, as in the initial case.
Supporting text
A second narration from Ahmad states that he does not approve of a man marrying more than one slave woman. This view is based on the Hadith narrated from Ibn 'Abbas, stating that a free man marries only one slave woman, and his recitation of Quran 4:25, limiting the permission to those who fear incontinence. Qatadah, Al-Shafi'i, and Ibn Al-Mundhir concur, arguing that one who has a lawful wife capable of sexual relations does not fear incontinence. This second view is interpreted to apply only to those who do not fear incontinence.