Marriage and Divorce
Mostly scholars agree that Islam allows a man to have a maximum of four wives at a time, which means during his life time he can marry many if he divorces some or some die in his life time, but only four will be with him at any time. Verse 3 of Surah Al-Nisa limits the number to four. 
A person embraced Islam at the time of Rasoolullah (S), and he had 10 wives, so Rasoolullah (S) ordered him, "Keep only four of them and divorce others".
This allowance of four wives is still under discussion among the scholars whether this permission is conditional or un-conditional. Most scholars see it unconditional, where as some try to look in this issue through other part of the same verse which says "If you are not sure about just dealing with them, so keep one", so it is restricted. Further more some see the issue of justice as unachievable, so the permission is based on impossible act, thus either it has no value, or the permission is cancelled`{Ayah: 129 of Al-Nisa}. I don't agree with this opinion, because it is explained in Sunnah that the justice means equal behavior, caring, expenses, and not in affection, which is beyond the demand.
Contrary to this opinion, some look in this issue that to marry with 4 is normal, when to marry 1 is exceptional. This is also a way to play with words. Qur’anic style is unique, but Hukm (order) is driven by text and not just by style, because some time Qur’an addresses the issue in the light of current situation of that time. The missing point in this issue is that to marry is Wajib, when a person fears to indulge in sin and he can carry the responsibilities of family, and it is sunnah if he is not in hurry for some reasons, and it is Mubah [just permissible] in normal situation, and Haram if some one is not able to care about family.
These situations related to only one marriage, but to marry more than one is a permission, and not order. But it is individual decision to marry or not, and not a state liability to issue permit for polygamy.
In my understanding, polygamy is a solution for those who need more, or when there is need for it, because this is better to marry and pay price for it, rather than seek sexual need through Haram means which are quite visible now a days. Present law makes polygamy forbidden but allows out side marital relation with many women at a time.
Divorce is a solution as lost resort, when couple is facing differences, and counseling, reconciliation, mediation is not working. Divorce is husband's right, and he does not need any state license for it, he is accountable to Allah. Divorce is a way of separation in good manner, as Qur’an says" live together when ever it is Ma’roof [known] to live [and if not,] so depart with the gesture of Ihsan"[Albaqarah-228]. Divorce must be a well planned decision and not a sudden one, because of this many ways of forcing or abnormal situations are nullified. Divorce is a process with gradual effect, if it is taken properly, for example a divorce at a time, so door of reconciliation is open.
Divorce is husband's privilege, but wife has options to get divorce, through " Khul'a" or demand for divorce with the approval of husband, or Faskh, through Qazi[ Islamic jurist]when husband refuses to release her, and Jurist convinced so he can cancel the Nikah. One of the ways to cancel Nikah is disappearance of husband for a period, at least 4 years, with out any clue, so Qazi can decide about nullification of Nikah.
Iddah is a period of rethinking about divorce decision, and if reunion is in mind husband can take her back, during three months, or during pregnancy, automatically with out any new paperwork, but if period expired, than by new marriage paper, when one divorce was given, it will be counted, and when second was given, and taken back they will reunite, it is counted, so if he divorced third time, than husband lost his chance to take back, because he has privilege of three divorces only. Now she cannot come back to him, except when she marries some one else, gets divorce from him, completes Iddah, than she can re-marry her previous husband. If husband completes three divorces at the same time, all Imams agree that it is against Sunnah, but it will become effective. According to Ibn Taymiyyah even these three divorces will be counted only one, so if they want they can live again. In my opinion, the practice in the time of Rasoolullah was both, when some one divorced his wife three times at once, Rasoolullah used to ask him whether his intention was for one or for three, and than he would rule as they replied. But in the time of Umar, he decided that then people were sure about their intention, so they would be judged according to the pronounced words. Thus, he ruled three times divorce at the same sitting as three. Now, in our time, when people have no sense of this issue, and mostly are ignorant about the details of divorce, and think that it is bravery to divorce three, than feel sorry and try to take back, even by tricks, so it is better solution to check their intention, and rule according to it, as it was the original situation. It is a middle way between one opinion which insists that it is three, and no way, or other opinion, which just ignore it totally.
 
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Mas’ud Nadvi