The Temporary (Muta) Marriage is prohibited in Islam
By
Abdul Haleem
My (Osama Abdallah) note: The last section in this article shows how the Bible allows Muta.
Temporary Marriage Allowed?
The following narration was added by me, Osama Abdallah:
Narrated Saburah ibn Ma'bad al-Juhani: "The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) prohibited temporary marriage with women. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2068)"
Continuing with brother Abdul Haleem's article...
The allowance or not of temporary marriage (Arabic mut’a) is one of the most
controversial issues in Islam.
Before discussing the issue on its merits, it is necessary to discuss the differences
between mut’a and "permanent" marriage. [All emphases in quoted materials
have been added.]
"Fixed-Term/Temporary/Pleasure Marriage are different names for the Arabic word of
‘Mut'a’ which is a contract between a man and woman, much in the same way the
Long-Term/Permanent/Conventional Marriage is. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE TEMPORARY
MARRIAGE LONGS ONLY FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME, AND MAN AND WOMAN WILL SEPARATE FROM
EACH OTHER AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE WITHOUT DIVORCE."
Shia Encyclopedia, Chapter 6, http://al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter6a/1.html.
Fixed-Term/Temporary/Pleasure/Mut'a Marriage is a contract between a man and woman, much
in the same way the Long-Term/Conventional Marriage is. The same vows are exchanged by the
partners or their authorized representatives in both cases, including stating the dowry.
If a fixed period of time (like one year, four years of college, etc...) is not clearly
specified then the marriage reverts to a long-term marriage and separation can only happen
by death or by divorce. In this case, all the rules of the regular marriage apply.
"IF A PERIOD IS SPECIFIED, THEN AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE, THEY MUST EITHER EXTEND IT
TO ANOTHER SPECIFIED TIME OR THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY SEPARATE WITHOUT DIVORCE, and the
woman must count the ‘Iddah’ before which she cannot marry any one else."
Shia Encyclopedia, Chapter 6, http://al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter6a/1.html.
Does the Quran authorize mut’a?
The scholars who answer "Yes" base their opinion on Quran 4:24. This verse is
reproduced in context with surrounding ayahs:
004.019
O ye who believe! YE ARE FORBIDDEN TO INHERIT WOMEN AGAINST THEIR WILL. Nor should ye
treat them with harshness, that ye may Take away part of the dower ye have given
them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them
on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye
dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.
004.020
But if ye decide to take one wife in place of another, EVEN IF YE HAD GIVEN THE LATTER A
WHOLE TREASURE FOR DOWER, TAKE NOT THE LEAST BIT OF IT BACK: Would ye take it by slander
and manifest wrong?
004.021
And how could ye take it when ye have gone in unto each other, and they have Taken from
you a solemn covenant?
004.022
AND MARRY NOT WOMEN WHOM YOUR FATHERS MARRIED,- except what is past: It was shameful and
odious,- an abominable custom indeed.
004.023
PROHIBITED TO YOU (FOR MARRIAGE) ARE:- Your mothers, daughters, sisters; father's sisters,
Mother's sisters; brother's daughters, sister's daughters; foster-mothers (Who gave you
suck), foster-sisters; your wives' mothers; your step-daughters under your guardianship,
born of your wives to whom ye have gone in,- no prohibition if ye have not gone in;-
(Those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins; and two sisters in
wedlock at one and the same time, except for what is past; for Allah is Oft-forgiving,
Most Merciful;-
004.024
ALSO (PROHIBITED ARE) WOMEN ALREADY MARRIED, except those whom your right hands possess
[these are prisoners of war from jihad - Yusef Ali] : THUS HATH ALLAH ORDAINED
(PROHIBITIONS) AGAINST YOU: EXCEPT FOR THESE, ALL OTHERS ARE LAWFUL, PROVIDED YE SEEK
(THEM IN MARRIAGE) WITH GIFTS FROM YOUR PROPERTY, - DESIRING CHASTITY, NOT LUST, seeing
that ye derive benefit from them, GIVE THEM THEIR DOWERS (AT LEAST) AS PRESCRIBED; BUT IF,
AFTER A DOWER IS PRESCRIBED, AGREE MUTUALLY (TO VARY IT), THERE IS NO BLAME ON YOU, and
Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.
004.025
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 [these are prisoners of war
from jihad - Yusef Ali]: 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 (permission) 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.
004.026
Allah doth wish to make clear to you and to show you the ordinances of those before you;
and (He doth wish to) turn to you (In Mercy): And Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.
004.027
Allah doth wish to Turn to you, BUT THE WISH OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW THEIR LUSTS IS THAT YE
SHOULD TURN AWAY (FROM HIM),- far, far away.
From these ayahs, it is apparent (1) A marriage contract must consist of more than an
arrangement for satisfaction of lusts (Quran 4:24, 25, and 27); and (2) Quran 4:24 merely
states that "all others are lawful," i.e. one may marry any partner to whom
marriage is not otherwise prohibited in the Quran. It does not say mut’a is alright,
and the ayah’s discussion of the dowery does not imply the legality of mut’a but
merely recites the universal rule that the dowery contracted for cannot be reduced except
by mutual agreement. See also Quran 4:19.
Moreover, any argument based on Quran 4:24 fails to address the fundamental
incompatibility of mut’a with Quranic criteria for divorce. While Islam does not
require OBJECTIVE proof of some fault such as "mental cruelty" or
"adultery" as a precondition for divorce, the Quran makes it clear that there
must be some BONA FIDE "disagreement," "incompatibility" or
"conflict" between the spouses:
004.035
If ye fear a BREACH BETWEEN THEM TWAIN, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and
the other from hers; if they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation: For
Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.
004.128
If a wife fears CRUELTY OR DESERTION ON HER HUSBAND'S PART, there is no blame on them if
they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even
though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practise self-restraint,
Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
004.129
Ye are NEVER ABLE TO BE FAIR AND JUST AS BETWEEN WOMEN, even if it is your ardent desire:
But turn not away (from a woman) altogether, so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in
the air). If ye come to a friendly understanding, and practise self-restraint, Allah is
Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
004.130
BUT IF THEY DISAGREE (AND MUST PART), Allah will provide abundance for all from His
all-reaching bounty: for Allah is He that careth for all and is Wise.
In mut’a the marriage does not end due to bona fide disagreement between spouses but,
rather, precisely BECAUSE they have AGREED IN ADVANCE it should end!
While the Quran itself does NOT authorize mut’a, the hadith literature on the subject
is, at best, hopelessly CONTRADICTORY and fall in FOUR CATEGORIES:
1. COMPARE the following ahadith
ALLOWING mut’a:
Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 139:
Narrated Abdullah:
We used to participate in the holy wars carried on by the Prophet and we had no women
(wives) with us. So we said (to the Prophet ). "Shall we castrate ourselves?"
But the Prophet forbade us to do that and thenceforth HE ALLOWED US TO MARRY A WOMAN
(TEMPORARILY) BY GIVING HER EVEN A GARMENT, and then he recited: "O you who believe!
Do not make unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for you."
Abu Dawood, Book 11, Number 2105:
Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If anyone gives as a dower to his wife two handfuls
of flour or dates he has made her lawful for him.
AbuDawud said: This tradition has been narrated by AbdurRahman ibn Mahdi, from Salih ibn
Ruman, from AbuzZubayr on the authority of Jabir as his own statement (not going back to
the Prophet). It has also been transmitted by AbuAsim from Salih ibn Ruman , from
AbuzZubayr on the authority of Jabir who said: DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE APOSTLE OF ALLAH
(PEACE_BE_UPON_HIM) WE USED TO CONTRACT TEMPORARY MARRIAGE FOR A HANDFUL OF GRAIN.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3243:
Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) reported: We were on an expedition with Allah's Messenger (may peace
be upon him) and we had no women with us. We said: Should we not have ourselves castrated?
He (the Holy Prophet) forbade us to do so HE THEN GRANTED US PERMISSION THAT WE SHOULD
CONTRACT TEMPORARY MARRIAGE FOR A STIPULATED PERIOD GIVING HER A GARMENT, and 'Abdullah
then recited this verse: 'Those who believe do not make unlawful the good things which
Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress. Allah does not like
trangressers" (al-Qur'an, v. 87).
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3244:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Jarir with the same chain of
transmitters and he also recited this (above-mentioned verse) to us, but he did not say
that 'Abdullah recited it.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3245:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Isma'il with the same chain of
transmitters (and the words are):" We were young, so we said: Allah's Messenger,
should we not have ourselves castrated? But he (the narrator) did not say; We were on an
expedition."
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3246:
Jabir b. 'Abdullah and Salama b. al-Akwa' said: There came to us the proclaimer of Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) HAS
GRANTED YOU PERMISSION TO BENEFIT YOURSELVES, i. e., TO CONTRACT TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH
WOMEN.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3247:
Salama b. al. Akwa' and Jabir b. Abdullah reported: ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON
HIM) CAME TO US AND PERMITTED US TO CONTRACT TEMPORARY MARRIAGE.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3248:
Ibn Uraij reported: 'Ati' reported that Jibir b. Abdullah came to perform 'Umra, and we
came to his abode, and the people asked him about different things, and then they made a
mention of temporary marriage, whereupon he said: YES, WE HAD BEEN BENEFITING OURSELVES BY
THIS TEMPORARY MARRIAGE DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE HOLY PROPHET (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)
AND DURING THE TIME OF ABU BAKR AND 'UMAR.
2. WITH ahadith claiming
that mut’a was PROHIBITED by THE PROPHET
(pbuh) except for the Companions:
Muslim, Book 007, Number 2817:
Abu Dharr (Allah be pleased with him) said that Tamattu' in Ha was A SPECIAL (CONCESSION)
1694 FOR THE COMPANIONS OF MUHAMMAD (may peace be upon him).
Muslim, Book 007, Number 2819:
Abu Dharr (Allah be pleased with him) said: TWO ARE THE MUT'AS WHICH WERE NOT PERMISSIBLE
BUT ONLY FOR US, I. E. TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH WOMEN and Tamattu' in Hajj.
3. WITH ahadith claiming
THE PROPHET (pbuh) PROHIBITED mut’a for
EVERYONE:
Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 527:
Narrated 'Ali bin Abi Talib:
On the day of Khaibar, ALLAH'S APOSTLE FORBADE THE MUT'A (I.E. TEMPORARY MARRIAGE) and the
eating of donkey-meat.
Muslim, Book 21, Number 4763:
'Ali b. Abi Talib reported that ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) FORBADE ON THE
DAY OF KHAIBAR TEMPORARY MARRIAGE (MUTA') WITH WOMEN and the eating of the flesh of
domestic asses
Abu Dawood, Book 11, Number 2068:
Narrated Saburah ibn Ma'bad al-Juhani:
The APOSTLE OF ALLAH (PEACE_BE_UPON_HIM) PROHIBITED TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH WOMEN.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3251:
Iyas b. Salama reported on the authority of his father that ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE
BE UPON HIM) GAVE SANCTION FOR CONTRACTING TEMPORARY MARRIAGE FOR THREE NIGHTS IN THE YEAR
OF AUTAS 1847 AND THEN FORBADE IT.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3252:
Sabra Juhanni reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) permitted temporary
marriage for us. So I and another person went out and saw a woman of Bana 'Amir, who was
like a young long-necked she-camel. We presented ourselves to her (for contracting
temporary marriage), whereupon she said: What dower would you give me? I said: My cloak.
And my companion also said: My cloak. And the cloak of-my companion was superior to my
cloak, but I was younger than he. So when she looked at the cloak of my companion she
liked it, and when she cast a glance at me I looked more attractive to her. She then said:
Well, you and your cloak are sufficient for me. I remained with her for three nights, and
then ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) SAID: HE WHO HAS ANY SUCH WOMAN WITH WHOM
HE HAD CONTRACTED TEMPORARY MARRIAGE, HE SHOULD LET HER OFF.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3253:
Rabi' b. Sabra reported that his father went on an expedition with Allah's Messenger (may
peace be upon him) during the Victory of Mecca, and we stayed there for fifteen days (i.
e. for thirteen full days and a day and a night), and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) permitted us to contract temporary marriage with women. So I and another person of my
tribe went out, and I was more handsome than he, whereas he was almost ugly. Each one of
us had a cloaks, My cloak was worn out, whereas the cloak of my cousin was quite new. As
we reached the lower or the upper side of Mecca, we came across a young woman like a young
smart long-necked she-camel. We said: Is it possible that one of us may contract temporary
marriage with you? She said: What will you give me as a dower? Each one of us spread his
cloak. She began to cast a glance on both the persons. My companion also looked at her
when she was casting a glance at her side and he said: This cloak of his is worn out,
whereas my cloak is quite new. She, however, said twice or thrice: There is no harm in
(accepting) this cloak (the old one). SO I CONTRACTED TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH HER, AND I
DID NOT COME OUT (OF THIS) UNTIL ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) DECLARED IT
FORBIDDEN.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3255:
Sabra al-Juhanni reported on the authority of his father that while he was with ALLAH'S
MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HM) HE SAID: O PEOPLE, I HAD PERMITTED YOU TO CONTRACT
TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH WOMEN, BUT ALLAH HAS FORBIDDEN IT (NOW) UNTIL THE DAY OF
RESURRECTION. So he who has any (woman with this type of marriage contract) he should let
her off, and do not take back anything you have given to then (as dower).
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3257:
'Abd al-Malik b. Rabi' b. Sabraal-Juhanni reported on the authority of his father who
narrated it on the authority of his father (i e. 'Abd al-Malik's grandfather, Sabura
al-juhanni): ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) PERMITTED US TO CONTRACT TEMPORARY
MARRIAGE IN THE YEAR OF VICTORY, AS WE ENTERED MECCA, AND WE DID COME OUT OF IT BUT HE
FORBADE US TO DO IT.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3258:
Sabra b. Ma'bad reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) permitted his
Companions to contract TEMPORARY MARRIAGE with women in the Year of Victory. So I and a
friend of mine from Banu Sulaim went out, until we found a young woman of Banu Amir who
was like a young she-camel having a long neck. We made proposal to her for contracting
TEMPORARY MARRIAGE with us, and presented to her our cloaks (as dower). She began to look
and found me more handsome than my friend, but found the cloak of my friend more beautiful
than my cloak. She thought in her wind for a while, but then preferred me to my friend. So
I remained with her for three (nights), and THEN ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)
COMMANDED US TO PART WITH THEM (SUCH WOMEN).
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3259:
Rabi' b. Sabra reported on the authority of his father that ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE
UPON HIM) PROHIBITED THE CONTRACTING OF TEMPORARY MARRIAGE.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3260:
Rabi' b. Sabra reported on the authority of his father that ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE
BE UPON HIM) FORBADE ON THE DAY OF VICTORY TO CONTRACT TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH WOMEN. This
hadith has been narrated on the authority of Rabi' b. Sabra that Allah's Messenger (may
peace be upon him) forbade to contract temporary marriage with women at the time of
Victory, and that his father had contracted the marriage for two red cloaks.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3261:
'Urwa b. Zabair reported that 'Abdullah b. Zubair (Allah be pleased with him) stood up
(and delivered an address) in Mecca saying: Allah has made blind the hearts of some people
as He has deprived them of eyesight that they give religious verdict in favour of
temporary marriage, while he was alluding to a person (Ibn 'Abbas). Ibn Abbas called him
and said: You are an uncouth person, devoid of sense. BY MY LIFE, MUT'A WAS PRACTISED
DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE LEADER OF THE PIOUS (HE MEANT ALLAH'S MESSENGER, MAY PEACE BE
UPON HIM), and Ibn Zubair said to him: just do it yourselves, and by Allah, if you do that
I will stone you with your stones. Ibn Shihab said. Khalid b. Muhajir b. Saifullah
informed me: While I was sitting in the company of a person, a person came to him and he
asked for a religious verdict about Mut'a and he permitted him to do it. Ibn Abu 'Amrah
al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) said to him: Be gentle. IT WAS PERMITTED IN THE
EARLY DAYS OF ISLAM, (for one) who was driven to it under the stress of necessity just as
(the eating of) carrion and the blood and flesh of swine and then Allah intensified (the
commands of) His religion and prohibited it (altogether). Ibn Shihab reported: Rabi' b.
Sabra told me that his father (Sabra) said: I contracted temporary marriage with a woman
of Banu 'Amir for two cloaks DURING THE LIFETIME OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON
HIM) ; THEN HE FORBADE US TO DO MUT'A. Ibn Shihab said: I heard Rabi' b. Sabra narrating
it to Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz and I was sitting there.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3262:
Sabra al-Juhanni reported on the authority of his father: ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE
UPON HIM) PROHIBITED THE CONTRACTING OF TEMPORARY MARRIAGE AND SAID: BEHOLD, IT IS
FORBIDDEN FROM THIS VERY DAY OF YOURS TO THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, and he who has given
something (as a dower) should not take it back.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3263:
'Ali b. AbiTalib reported that ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) PROHIBITED ON THE
DAY OF KHAIBAR THE CONTRACTING OF TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH WOMEN and the eating of the
flesh of domestic asses.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3265:
Muhammad b. 'Ali narrated on the authority of his father 'Ali that ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY
PEACE BE UPON HIM) ON THE DAY OF KHAIBAR PROHIBITED FOR EVER THE CONTRACTING OF TEMPORARY
MARRIAGE and eating of the flesh of the domestic asses.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3266:
'Ali (Allah be pleased with him) heard that Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) gave
some relaxation in connection with the contracting of TEMPORARY MARRIAGE, whereupon he
said: Don't be hasty (in your religious verdict), Ibn 'Abbas, for ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY
PEACE BE UPON HIM) ON THE DAY OF KHAIBAR PROHIBITED FOR EVER THE DOING OF IT-And eating of
the flesh of domestic asses.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3267:
'Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said to Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) that
ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) ON THE DAY OF KHAIBAR FORBADE FOREVER THE
CONTRACTING OF TEMPORARY MARRIAGE and the eating of the flesh of domestic asses.
Muslim, Book 021, Number 4763:
'Ali b. Abi Talib reported that ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) FORBADE ON THE
DAY OF KHAIBAR TEMPORARY MARRIAGE (MUTA') with women and the eating of the flesh of
domestic asses.
4. WITH ahadith claiming that
mut’a was FIRST PROHIBITED by UMAR:
Muslim, Book 007, Number 2874:
Abd Nadra reported: While I was in the company of Jibir, a person came and said: There is
difference of opinion amomg Ibn Abbas and Ibn Zubair about two Mut'as (benefits, Tamattul
in Hajj and TEMPORARY MARRIAGE WITH WOMEN), whereupon Jibir said: WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS
DURING THE LIFETIME OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (WAY PEACE BE UPON HIM), AND THEN 'UMAR FORBADE
US TO DO SO, and we never resorted to them.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3249:
Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: WE CONTRACTED TEMPORARY MARRIAGE GIVING A HANDFUL OF (TALES
OR FLOUR) AS A DOWER DURING THE LIFETIME OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND
DURING THE TIME OF ABU BAKR UNTIL 'UMAR FORBADE IT in the case of 'Amr b. Huraith.
Muslim, Book 008, Number 3250:
Abu Nadra reported: While I was in the company of Jabir b. Abdullah, a person came to him
and said that Ibn 'Abbas and Ibn Zubair differed on the two types of Mut'as (Tamattu' of
Hajj 1846 and TAMATTU' WITH WOMEN), whereupon Jabir said: WE USED TO DO THESE TWO DURING
THE LIFETIME OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM). UMAR THEN FORBADE US TO DO
THEM, AND SO WE DID NOT REVERT TO THEM.
Against this backdrop of conflicting ahadith, it should not be surprising that there are
Sunni - as well as Shia - scholars who APPROVE mut’a.
"THERE IS NO IJMA' IN THE SUBJECT OF MUT'A. Most of the companions and their
disciples did not agree with its prohibition by Umar. But only some of them
dared to raise their voice.
"THERE IS NO IJMA' IN THIS ISSUE AMONG THE SUNNI SCHOLARS EITHER. I have mentioned
the name of some the Sunni scholars in the previous parts who believe Mut'a is permitted.
Moreover Shia scholars are another reason for
breaking this Ijma'."
Shia Encyclopedia, Chapter 6, http://al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter6a/1.html.
How did mut’a come into Islam?
"16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, he must pay the bride price for her and marry her. 17 But if her father refuses to let him marry her, he must pay the father a sum of money equal to the bride price for a virgin."
Exodus 22 (Today’s English Version).
Mut’a, similarly, degrades marriage to a business arrangement. This "Israeeleeat" doctrine has no place in Islam.
An addition from me, Osama Abdallah:
The sub-sections here are:
1- Muta is not "legalized prostitution".
2- Muta was even explicitly allowed in the Bible's OT!
Point #1:
(Muta is not "legalized prostitution")
I have run into several anti-Islam Christians that call Muta as a "legalized prostitution." They even
got colorful with their accusations and brought up scenarios such as what if a Muslim
comes up to a prostitute (a prostitute in the christian societies that is, because Islamic
societies don't have public prostitutes) and offer her some money, like $20.00, to marry
her for 1 hour and then divorces her, would that be allowed in Islam from the time it was
allowed till it became discontinued?
Obviously, this scenario is possible for those who want to abuse the system and are desperate to find false cracks in it. But this definitely wasn't the intention and the reason of why muta was allowed.
By the way, the Bible's OT does allow divorce for any reason. The same scenario can be applied to the Bible as well, since technically, a man can walk up to a prostitute, marry her for 1 hour, and then divorce her.
Show me where in the Bible's OT this would not be allowed!
The Islamic temporary marriage was allowed for simply preventing Muslim men from committing adultery and fornication with other women when they used to travel for months and years at distances of 100s and even 1000s of miles away from home to engage the enemy in battle fields. Temporary marriage was allowed for this purpose, and this purpose only. Once Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, established the Islamic State in Mecca, he forbade Muta completely.
From www.answering-christianity.com/temporary_marriage.htm:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah and Salama bin Al-Akwa': "While we were in an army, Allah's Apostle came to us and said, "You have been allowed to do the Mut'a (marriage), so do it." Salama bin Al-Akwa' said: Allah's Apostle's said, "If a man and a woman agree (to marry temporarily), their marriage should last for three nights, and if they like to continue, they can do so; and if they want to separate, they can do so." I do not know whether that was only for us or for all the people in general. Abu Abdullah (Al-Bukhari) said: 'Ali made it clear that the Prophet said, "The Mut'a marriage has been cancelled (made unlawful)." (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah), Volume 7, Book 62, Number 52)"
Narrated Saburah ibn Ma'bad al-Juhani: "The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) prohibited temporary marriage with women. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2068)"
Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran did Command the Muslims to follow the Prophet's Commands:
"O ye who believe! Obey God, and obey the Apostle, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to God and His Apostle, if ye do believe in God and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination. (The Noble Quran, 4:59)"
"When there comes to them some matter touching (Public) safety or fear, they divulge it. If they had only referred it to the Apostle, or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have Tested it from them (direct). Were it not for the Grace and Mercy of God unto you, all but a few of you would have fallen into the clutches of Satan. (The Noble Quran, 4:83)"
Point #2:
(Muta was even explicitly allowed in the Bible's OT!)
Muta was even explicitly allowed in the Bible's OT!
What these anti-Islamics don't know is that Muta originally came from their own Bible, with the exception that Islam had valid reasons for allowing it temporarily and then discontinuing it, and only making it today available under extreme circumstances, while the gospel of porn (the book of women's vaginas and breasts literally taste like "wine") just openly allows it for any reason.
As brother Abdul Haleem mentioned above, the following Biblical verses clearly prove this:
Exodus 22:16-17
16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not
pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be
his wife.
17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price
for virgins.
There is no doubt that these verses allow for muta between the man and even a virgin.
Not only that, but the New Testament doesn't even nullify them.
While it is true that Jesus prohibited divorce between two spouses except for "marital unfaithfulness", but he clearly did allow polygamy in the polygamist society that he lived in through his "1 groom and his 10 virgin brides" parable.
Please visit: www.answering-christianity.com/ntpoly.htm for more details. The article is too long to post here.
A Christian man can still sleep with a woman and pay her the "bride-price."
She would become his wife only and only if her father approves it. After that
they certainly can't divorce except for "marital unfaithfulness" from either
one. But the point is, according to Exodus 22:16-17, he
can still take her to bed and not be violating anything. And if a woman is divorced,
and he seduces her for muta, then her father doesn't even have to be involved. Not
only that, but in the OT days, divorce was allowed between the two spouses. Again as
I mentioned above:
Jeremiah 3:1
If a man divorces a woman and she marries
someone else, he is not to take her back again, for that would surely corrupt the land.
But you have prostituted yourself with many lovers, says the LORD. Yet I am still calling
you to come back to me.
Back to Muta in Islam section.