To what extent are the hadiths valid concerning the minimum number of wives a man will have in Paradise being two from the women of this world? Is the statement that the minimum number is two wives from the women of this world based on explicit texts, or is it an interpretation? And what about a woman's desire in Paradise to be her husband's sole wife, similar to the fulfillment of a man's desire for polygyny?

The matter is easier than the questioner imagines. Just as a wife believes she is better than theis hur al-'in (wide-eyed maidens of Paradise), every wife will see herself as the best in her husband's eyes in Paradise. This is similar to what was narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that the people of Paradise will not see those on pulpits as better than themselves. Thus, it is not far-fetched that every wife will see herself as the most favored by her husband, because there is no sorrow in Paradise.

Moreover, the nature of women in Paradise will change, as wives will be good and beautiful, with no disagreement or animosity between them.

As for the hadith "Each of them will have two wives," the correct understanding is that these are from the hur al-'in, not from the women of this world. It was narrated in a riwayah by al-Bukhari, "For every man, there will be two wives from the hur al-'in." It has also been said that the dual form is for emphasis rather than specification, because a man will have a large number of hur al-'in.