Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Afghan Taliban’s supreme leader, has issued an ordinance prohibiting interim government officials from marrying more than once.

“A new proclamation of the Islamic Emirate’s supreme commander Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada instructed the Islamic Emirate’s followers to avoid two, three, or four weddings, which are unnecessary and costly,” said an official statement carried by Afghanistan’s ToloNews on Friday.

Before seizing power, the Taliban issued a similar rule prohibiting leaders and commanders from having several spouses, claiming that doing so would draw “criticism from our adversaries.”

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According to sources quoted by Voice of America, the directive was issued in response to “several concerns.” Some Taliban officials have asked their superiors for assistance with dowry payments.

“In some parts of Afghanistan, up to 2 million Afghanis (almost $26,000) is paid for dowry, and Taliban officials would want this money for their second marriage,” the insider claimed.

The Taliban-led government issued a decree on women’s rights in December 2021, stating that women should not be considered “property” and must consent to marriage.

“A woman is not a property, but a noble and free human being; no one may trade her to anyone in exchange for peace… or to cease hostility,” stated Zabihillah Muhajid, a Taliban spokeswoman.