Mut’ah, or temporary marriage, is a practice in Twelver Shia Islam involving a verbal or written contract for a marriage of a specified duration, requiring mutual agreement, a fixed term, and a stipulated mahr (dowry). The marriage automatically dissolves upon the contract’s expiration without formal divorce. While it can be brief, lasting even hours, it can also be for extended periods like ninety-nine years.
Key Aspects of Mut’ah Marriage
Temporary Duration: The defining characteristic is its fixed, limited term, which can vary from short periods to much longer ones.
Contractual Nature: Both parties must agree to the specific duration and a designated mahr (dowry).
Automatic Termination: The marriage ends automatically when the agreed-upon period expires, without needing a formal divorce process.
Private Practice: Traditionally, it was a private contract and did not always require witnesses or formal registration, although taking witnesses is recommended.
Twelver Shia Practice: This form of marriage is practiced within Twelver Shia Islam but is rejected by Zaidi Shia and Sunni Muslims.
The Qur’an advocates the institution of marriage as a long term and sustaining union between a man and a woman with a specific purpose such as procreation and education of children. The Matrimony is considered as a sacred partnership and a foundation for society.
S25:54 It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power over all things.
Before marriage, dowry is given to provide financial support and a fresh start for the bride in her new home. It is also to show the groom’s sincerity to the bride’s status as a role of a marriage woman.
S4:4 And give the women in marriage their dower as a free gift; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it with right good cheer.
S4:25 If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: And Allah hath full knowledge about your faith. Ye are one from another: Wed them with the leave of their owners, and give them their dowers, according to what is reasonable: They should be chaste, not lustful, nor taking paramours: when they are taken in wedlock, if they fall into shame, their punishment is half that for free women. This is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practise self-restraint. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
S24:33 But let them who find not the means for marriage abstain from sexual relations until Allah enriches them from His bounty. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allah is to them, after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.
Marriage is primarily for building mutual commitment, enduring affection and a desire for unity not on a selfish sexual desire as that of the Shia Mut’ah.
S30:21 And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.
As compared to Shia Mut’ah, there are commitments during marriage personal and family bequests laid out clearly in the Quran.
S2:180 It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves any goods that he makes a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the Allah-fearing.
S2:240 Those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for their widows a year’s maintenance and residence; but if they leave (the residence), there is no blame on you for what they do with themselves, provided it is reasonable. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.
S2:234 If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves for four months and ten days: When they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner. And Allah is well acquainted with what ye do.
S2:235 There is no blame on you if ye make an offer of betrothal or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that ye cherish them in your hearts: But do not make a secret contract with them except in terms honourable, nor resolve on the tie of marriage till the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah Knows what is in your hearts, and take heed of Him; and know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.
Divorce is a formal legal process in the Qur’an
S2:228 Divorced women remain in waiting for three periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation. And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
S2:231 And when you divorce women and they have fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress [against them]. And whoever does that had certainly wronged himself. And do not take the verses of Allah in jest. And remember the favour of Allah upon you and what has been revealed to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Knowing of all things.
S2:241 And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable a duty upon the righteous.
Marriage is for long term partnership not of temporary Mut’ah
S7:189 It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her. And when he covers her, she carries a light burden and continues therein. And when it becomes heavy, they both invoke Allah, their Lord, “If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful.”
S16:72 And Allah has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates, sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things. Then is it falsehood do they believe and in the favour of Allah they disbelieve?
Pondering with Saifuddin's index 