TheReligionofPeace.com
Guide to Understanding Islam

 

 

What does the
Religion of Peace
Teach About...

Temporary Marriage

 
 

Question
:

Does Islam have a loophole for sex-on-demand called 'temporary marriage'?
 


Summary Answer
:

It is called Nikah Mut'ah, a fixed-time arrangement between a man and a woman that dissolves once the duration expires.
 


The Qur'an:

Sura (4:24) - "And those of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them their portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what ye do by mutual agreement after the duty (hath been done)"

Sura (5:87) - "O you who believe! do not forbid (yourselves) the good things which Allah has made lawful for you and do not exceed the limits; surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits"  Surprisingly the context for this verse (which is found in Bukhari (60:139) is temporary marriage, in this case trading an article of clothing for a few days of access to a woman's body.  By calling this a "good thing," Muhammad really stood traditional morality on its ear.
 


From the Hadith:

 

Muslim (8:3252) - Muhammad clearly allowed his men to use temporary marriage as a sanctioned form of prostitution.

 


Additional Notes:
 

Since temporary marriage is a euphemism for prostitution, the Sunnis believe that it should only be practiced in certain times (such as the lifetime of Muhammad... oddly enough).  The Shias take a more liberal position and freely allow the practice.
 

 

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