Is Nikah Mutah (Temporary Marriage) Allowed in Islam?

Mutah or temporary marriage, refers to a practice where a man marries a woman for a specified period in exchange for a set amount of money.

This type of marriage was initially permitted at the beginning of Islam but was later declared forbidden.

Is Mut’ah Allowed in Islam?

No

Mut’ah marriage is not allowed in Islam today. Although it was permitted initially, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) later prohibited it.

This prohibition is considered final and is supported by clear hadiths and Quranic teachings.

Evidence

• Prophetic Traditions: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) forbade Mutah marriage during the Khaybar period.
• Qur’anic Verses: The Qur’an emphasizes permanent marriages and mutual rights between spouses. Although some interpret certain verses to suggest Mutah’s permissibility, these interpretations are contested. For example, the verse from Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:5-7) emphasizes guarding chastity within the bounds of lawful marriage.
• Companion Narrations: Early companions of the Prophet, including Ali ibn Abi Talib, rejected Mut’ah marriage after it was prohibited. Ali reported that the Prophet forbade Mut’ah and the meat of tame donkeys during Khaybar Sahih Muslim (1407).

Bottom Line

Mut’ah marriage, which was once allowed in early Islam, is now firmly prohibited. The transition from allowing to forbidding Mut’ah highlights Islam’s emphasis on stable, permanent marriages.

And Allah knows the best.

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