Prohibition of Temporary Marriage
📖Sahih Muslim 1406 d
Sabra al-Juhani reported on the authority of his father that while he was with Allah’s Messenger ﷺ, 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 them (as dower).”
Description:
This hadith deals with the temporary marriage (Mut’ah) which was initially allowed during specific periods in early Islam, especially during travel or military expeditions. It was a cultural practice that existed in pre-Islamic Arabia, and Islam gradually addressed it, The Prophet ﷺ initially permitted it under exceptional circumstances, especially during times of hardship or separation from spouses. However, this permission was never intended to be permanent. Once the final ruling from Allah came down through revelation, the Prophet ﷺ announced its complete prohibition, until the Day of Judgment.
This shows a gradual transition, a method the Qur’an and Sunnah often used to reform deep-rooted cultural norms. Just like alcohol, which was banned in stages, Mut’ah was first tolerated, then restricted, and finally permanently forbidden.
- Pre-Islamic Arab society practiced Mut’ah freely as part of their culture.
- The Prophet ﷺ allowed it briefly to ease hardship, but it was not meant to last.
- Final divine command prohibited it permanently, as narrated clearly in this hadith.
- The Prophet ﷺ did not change rulings based on desire, but based on revelation from Allah.
📖Quran 17:32
“And do not go near unlawful sexual intercourse (zina). Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”
This verse strictly forbids even going near zina, which includes any sexual relationship outside of nikah, Since Mut’ah does not meet the permanent, full contractual requirements of nikah, it is considered a form of zina after being banned. Hence, Mut’ah is included in the prohibition of “not going near zina.
Mut’ah marriage was a temporary cultural practice, allowed for a limited time by divine permission. But once Islamic law was perfected, it was permanently banned. the hadith is a clear command from the Prophet ﷺ, based on revelation, and is binding on the Ummah. Anyone still practicing it is rejecting a final ruling and ignoring the Qur’anic principles of chastity, marriage, and respect for women.