What is Mut'a?
Mut'a (المتعة), meaning "pleasure" or "enjoyment," is a form of temporary contractual marriage that was practiced during Muhammad's time and continues in Shi'a Islam today. It allows a man to "marry" a woman for a specified period—from hours to years—in exchange for monetary compensation.
The Quranic Basis
"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 [istamta'tum] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation." — Quran 4:24
The Arabic word istamta'tum (استمتعتم) means "you enjoy" and is the root of mut'a. While Sunni scholars interpret this as referring to regular marriage, Shi'a scholars and classical exegetes like al-Tabari and al-Qurtubi confirm this verse originally referred to temporary marriage.
Historical Evidence
Multiple authentic hadiths confirm Muhammad permitted mut'a:
"We used to practice mut'a during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger." — Sahih Bukhari 5:59:527
"We used to participate in the holy wars carried on by the Prophet and we had no women with us. So we said, 'Shall we castrate ourselves?' But the Prophet forbade us to do that and allowed us to marry a woman temporarily by giving her even a garment." — Sahih Bukhari 6:60:139
The Practice Explained
In mut'a marriage:
- Fixed Duration: The contract specifies a time period (one night to 99 years)
- Dowry Payment: The man pays an agreed amount to the woman
- No Inheritance Rights: Children are legitimate but the woman has no inheritance rights
- No Divorce Process: The marriage automatically ends when the term expires
- Waiting Period: The woman must observe a waiting period ('iddah) before another mut'a
Sunni vs Shi'a Position
Sunni Islam
Claims mut'a was later prohibited by Muhammad. They cite hadiths where Umar banned it, though these contradict earlier permissions.
"Allah's Messenger permitted us to practice mut'a for three days at the time of the battle of Autus, then he forbade it." — Sahih Muslim 8:3252
However, evidence suggests the prohibition came from Caliph Umar, not Muhammad:
"Two types of mut'a were practiced during the time of Allah's Messenger, and I forbid both of them and punish for them." — Statement of Umar ibn al-Khattab
Shi'a Islam
Continues to practice mut'a, arguing it was never truly prohibited by Muhammad, only by Umar, who had no authority to override Quranic permission.
Why This Matters
Prostitution in Religious Garb: Critics argue mut'a is essentially legalized prostitution—sex in exchange for money with a religious contract.
Exploitation of Women: The practice often targets poor women who need money, creating a religious framework for sexual exploitation.
Quranic Contradiction: If the Quran permits mut'a but Muhammad later forbade it, this contradicts claims that the Quran is complete and perfect.
Modern Practice: In Iran and other Shi'a areas, mut'a is openly practiced, sometimes for as little as an hour.
Biblical Contrast
The Bible consistently teaches:
"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure." — Hebrews 13:4
Biblical marriage is a permanent covenant, not a temporary contract for sexual pleasure. Jesus emphasized the permanence of marriage:
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." — Matthew 19:6
For more on biblical teachings, see our Beliefs section.
Questions to Consider
- If mut'a is permitted in the Quran, why do most Muslims reject it today?
- How is temporary marriage different from prostitution?
- What does this practice reveal about the status of women in Islamic law?
- Should religious texts be interpreted to match modern moral standards, or taken at face value?