Re: how many wifes is a muslim allowed?
Well, if Shariat is based on the Quran, then its safe to say that Allah suggests polygamy as a solution to a situation where you might fear doing something wrong to an orphan. You know, like having an affair with a girl helpless and alone.
That's not me making this stuff up. The ayah's translation is posted in this thread.
And yes, I wrote in haste - its not a maximum of 4 over your lifetime. Its a maximum of 4 at any given point in time.
Now, look, that doesn't mean you have the right to marry 4, and then when you want a 5th, you pick your least favorite of the 4 and ditch her. But then, I'm not the person that'll be judging your sorry behind on Judgement Day :)