Re: A friend asked this question about the Prophet…
In that case I would point out to him that polygamy is the only way to maximize rates of birth in a population that is rapidly decreasing due to plagues, famines, droughts and wars, especially when disproportionately large number of males are dying to women. As far as the number of wives are concerned, it is also my understanding that Mohammad was allowed to retain his wives just like all other muslims with more than four wives, but that he didnt add to them, after he received the verses limiting the number of wives. So he received no special privileges from Allah in this regard, that other muslims didnt receive in a similar position.
regards,
bob