Mut’ah Marriage: Perspectives Across Religious Groups

Abstract

Mut’ah Marriage, also known as temporary marriage, is a practice of marriage conducted with the intention of seeking momentary pleasure without long-term commitment. This phenomenon remains controversial among the Shi'a Imamiyah and the majority of Ahlussunnah (Sunni) scholars. The research method employed in this article is library research, combining relevant documents for analysis. Although mut'ah marriage was once permitted during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, especially during times of war when concerns arose about the occurrence of adultery, this practice was later prohibited. Nonetheless, some Shi'a Imamiyah individuals maintain the belief that mut'ah marriage is still permissible. They refer to sources such as the Qur'an, Sunnah, Ijma', and Qiyas as the basis for their argument. This perspective reflects significant differences among various sects within Islam regarding the legitimacy and relevance of mut'ah marriage within the context of Islamic law and teachings. From the Shi'a Imamiyah perspective, interpretations of these sources lead to the understanding that mut'ah marriage is lawful in Islam. However, the majority of Sunni scholars reject this view, considering the practice inconsistent with broader Islamic teachings. These differing perspectives generate ongoing discussions within the Muslim community and highlight the complexities of interpreting religious teachings.