– Muta Marriages in Islam

Having brought something that is abhorable in the “Hindu system of society” …. let me bring something that is equally disturbing from the Islamic society.. called the M’uta system of Marriage. I am not sure of the veracity of this “tradition” or religious practice that originates from the Prophet’s time… but it would be interesting to know what the well-read Muslims think about this?

Here is something on what the scriptures and the Prophet said on this marriage.

The Sunni authorities agree that mut’a was permitted by the Prophet at certain points during his lifetime, but they maintain that in the end he prohibited it completely. In contrast the Shi’is maintain that the Prophet did not ban it, and they cite numerous hadith from Sunni as well as Shi’i sources to prove this. Having established its legality, they then devote tremendous care and attention to defining its legal status and all the rules and regulations connected with it.

… read more

And here is what really got me to read about this practice:

(Prophet Muhammed)

The Islamic counterpart of one-night stand is known as the M’uta marriage. In this kind of contract marriage, a man simply contracts a woman to sleep with him for a brief period only. Although the Sunnis have banned the M’uta system, it is very much in practice among the Shiites. It is quite possible to have a M’uta marriage every night and kick the woman out next morning. There is no need of divorce in a M’uta marriage. This type of marriage is a contract to sleep together and that is all. Also, remember that though there is a restriction of up to four permanent wives at any time, there is no such restriction on the number of temporary wives that one can have at any given moment. In modern language, we call this ‘one night stand’. M’uta marriage has absolutely no time limit either. So, “one-night’s play” is perfectly Islamic. With M’uta system, it is possible to have unlimited, non-stop sex round the clock. It is stated that Imam Hasan, the grandson of Muhammad (pbuh) collected up to three hundred sex partners (the Islamic terminology is temporary wives) besides his regular wives, to have one-night stand with them.

and then it goes on:

Sahih 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.
Mu’tah means enjoyment— (ref.6, p. 424)

MU’TAH. Lit. “Usufruct, enjoyment.