This custom was decried by the Prophet, “It shall not be lawful for thee to take other women to wife hereafter, nor to exchange any of thy wives for them.”
The moral effect of a facility of divorce is to keep both parties on their good behavior, but at the same time a spirit of extreme selfishness is induced in the women. For being in constant apprehension of a sudden separation, they look upon their husbands as a means of revenue, and endeavor to store up as much jewelry, clothing etc., as possible, to be ready in case of emergency. The display of shawls and diamonds upon the persons of women, even of the poorest classes, is not from a feeling of vanity, but rather an exhibition of the extent of the personal wealth they have extorted from their lords and masters.
In case of separation, the children are supported until they are seven years old, by the father; after which the boys remain under the paternal care, and the girls belong to the mother; unless some other arrangement is made by mutual consent.
The most unjust stigma of illegitimacy, is almost unknown in Turkey; the children by slaves being as respectable and legitimate as those by the regular wives, and it is only when the father cannot be discovered that they are regarded as bastards. Such principles are certainly right, and more humane than those of Christian lands, where the innocent are taunted all their lifetime with the immoralities of others, for whose actions they are as irresponsible as “the babe unborn.”
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE SULTAN’S HAREM.
Although there are more than 2,000 women in the palace, but five of these hold the rank of kaduns, or wives.
Mussulmans, in general, are allowed to have four wives, but sultans can have seven.
Their superiority to ordinary men is thus attested, and the chance made surer of an heir to the throne.