Not sure if anyone cares, but the Islamic perspective about this is obviously relevant to the JRF.
Islamically...prophets Moses and Solomon, peace be upon them, among other prophets, had hundreds of wives before Islam came about as it exists now. This often isn't discussed simply out of respect for these prophets. Their plural marriages reflected the general practice at the time, one in which men took an unlimited number of wives without any rules or equality regulations involved. When Islam came about, limiting this practice to 4 wives was a serious, serious improvement. Unheard of for the people at the time.
But more importantly, this Qur'anic verse came down during a war time, when men were dying left and right and women were left as widows at home, with children, without jobs, without protection, and without support in a land where it was difficult for women to be independent and safe in the same way we know it today. The ultimate purpose of this Qur'anic verse was to provide women with the opportunity to gain protection, monetary support, a home, etc., at a time when women were so limited. Many Muslims today believe that one should not EVER take more than one wife unless it is precisely for this purpose - to provide a widow support she could not receive independently. This is the context in which the verse was revealed, and everything must be taken in context. It is NOT a free for all for men...of course, some take more than one wife just because they want to. Respectfully, that is not reflective of the true purpose of the verse/ruling.