TEMPORARY MARRIAGE (Mut�ah)

Muhammad allowed temporary marriages.  �Abdullah b. Mas�ud reports: �We were on an expedition with Allah�s Messenger and we had no women with us.  We said: Should we not have ourselves castrated?  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 [for a dowry].� At this �Abdullah felt happy and remembered the QurAnic verse: �The believers do not make unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress.  Allah does not like transgressors� (3243; QurAn 5:87).

JAbir reports: �We contracted temporary marriage giving a handful of dates and flour as a dower� (3249).  He told another group: �Yes, we had been benefiting ourselves by this temporary marriage during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet, and during the time of AbU Bakr and �Umar� (3248). IYas b. Salama reports, on the authority of his father, �that Allah�s Messenger gave sanction for contracting temporary marriage for three nights in the year of AutAs [after the Battle of Hunain, A.H. 8] and then forbade it� (3251).

Sunni theologians regard this form of marriage as no longer lawful, but the Shias differ and still practice it in Persia.  The Shia theologians support this with a QurAnic verse: �Forbidden to you also are married women, except those who are your hands as slaves. . . . And it is allowed you, besides this, to seek out wives by means of your wealth, with modest conduct, and without fornication.  And give those with whom you have cohabited their dowry.  This is the law.  But it shall be no crime in you to make agreements over and above the law.  Verily, God is knowing, Wise� (QurAn 4:24).

author : ram swarup