Comprehensive Definition
Mutʿah (متعة), often translated as “temporary marriage,” is a marital contract with a stipulated duration and pre-specified financial compensation for the woman. Primarily recognized within Shīʿah Islam, Mutʿah marriages are sanctioned as lawful according to certain Islamic teachings and condemned by others.
Etymology
The term “Mutʿah” derives from the Arabic root m-t-ʿ, which translates to “usufruct” or “enjoyment,” indicating a form of marriage oriented towards temporary companionship and sexual enjoyment.
Background
Historical Context
Mutʿah was a form of contract-based marriage that the Prophet Muhammad allowed during specific conflicts (for instance, the Battle of Autās). It provided a lawful means for ensuring men’s intimate needs when separated from their long-term families.
The Qurʾānic Basis
The debate surrounding the validity of Mutʿah often hinges on interpretations of the Qurʾānic verse (Sura An-Nisa 4:24): “And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. This is the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation.” Interpretations of this verse underpin whether Mutʿah is seen as a legitimate form of marriage.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Shīʿah Perspectives
In Shīʿah Islam, Mutʿah is considered legally and morally sanctioned. Scholars argue that temporary marriage accommodates socio-economic and cultural needs, allowing individuals to fulfill natural desires responsibly.
Sunnī Perspectives
Conversely, most Sunnī scholars regard Mutʿah as abrogated. Citing the Prophet’s eventual prohibition of the practice during the Battle of Khaibar, they base their stance morally and ethically while supporting permanent marital unions.
Mutual Grounds
Both Sunni and Shīʿah uphold marriage’s overall sanctity. However, they diverge sharply on the intricacies and acceptability of time-limited contracts.
Synonyms
- Temporary Marriage
- Usufruct Marriage
Antonyms
- Nikāḥ (Permanent Marriage)
- Monogamy
Related Terms
- Nikāḥ - The conventional and permanent form of Islamic marriage.
- Sīghah - Another term for a temporary marriage contract, specifically used among Shīʿahs.
- ʿIddah - The prescribed waiting period a woman must abide by after a Mutʿah contract ends before she can marry again.
Exciting Facts
- Cultural Significance: Mutʿah allows individuals to test compatibility without committing to lifelong marriage, reflecting historical socio-economic conditions.
- Legal Variation: The condition of dower and specific duration emphasizes a structured type of partnership distinct from casual modern-day relationships.
- Powerful Monarchs: The Mughal Emperor Akbar once fiercely debated the subject at his court to resolve his matrimonial predicaments through literate scholarly advice.
Quotations
- “In permitting these usufructuary marriages Muḥammad appears but to have given Divine (?) sanction to one of the abominable practices of ancient Arabia.” - Burckhardt
- “Every other opinion on this subject is idle talk.” This saying pleased the Emperor, and he at once appointed a Qāẓī, who gave a decree which made mutʿah marriages legal.” - Badāʾonī
Suggested Literature and Further Studies
- Women and the Koran: The Status of Women in Islam - Fazlur Rahman
- Introduction to Islamic Law - J.N.D. Anderson
- A History of Islamic Law - N. J. Coulson
- The Spirit of Islamic Law - Bernard G. Weiss
- Mut’ah – A Sign of Allah: A Revised Discourse on Temporary Marriage in Islam - Sayyid Muhammad Husaini Kashmiri
Quizzes
Karim Al-Najjar
October 5, 2023
“Knowledge transcends centuries and beliefs, gathering wisdom yet presenting perspectives that evolve. Reflect, understand, and continuously question to broaden your horizons.”
