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Permanent Prohibition of Nikah Mut'ah in Islam Explained Clearly

❖ Prohibition of Nikah Mut'ah: In Light of Hadith and Scholarly Consensus ❖
Adapted from the original article by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amani Puri (Hafizahullah), enhanced with headings and structured organization for ease of reading.

◈ Divine Shari'ah: A Complete Code of Life

The Islamic Shari'ah, as bestowed through our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a comprehensive and eternal code of life. It requires no amendments or reforms, as it offers a permanent and unchanging constitution applicable until the Day of Judgment. Unlike earlier laws, which evolved with time, Islam provided final and absolute legislation through divine revelation.

◈ Gradual Legislation and Social Reform

The perfection of Islamic law demanded laws not just for individuals but for societal well-being. Islam gradually outlawed harmful practices. The prohibition of alcohol is a notable example — initially restricted during prayer times, later identified as harmful, and ultimately banned completely.

In the same manner, Nikah Mut'ah, though temporarily permitted in the early Islamic period, was permanently prohibited for the greater social good.

◈ The Prohibition of Nikah Mut'ah

Nikah Mut'ah, once allowed, was gradually prohibited just like alcohol. To now justify its permissibility based on early practice is incorrect. Its eventual prohibition ensures the protection of chastity and prevents exploitation.

◈ Harmful Effects of Nikah Mut'ah

This temporary contract led to multiple social ills, unlike the permanent, dignified institution of Nikah. Mut'ah lacks commitment, stability, emotional bond, and opens the door to relationships with multiple partners — threatening the family structure and leading to children of uncertain lineage.

◈ Ibn Taymiyyah's Statement

"The only valid marriage is the one recognized by the Muslim community, which fosters love and mercy between spouses."
(Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā: 32/92)

◈ Shia Beliefs Regarding Mut'ah

Despite its moral and social issues, Mut'ah remains an essential component of Shia jurisprudence.
  • Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭūsī wrote: "A man entering into Mut'ah does not need to ask the woman if she is married."
    (al-Nihāyah, p. 490)
  • Muḥammad bin Ḥasan al-Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī stated: "Permitting Mut'ah is a religious necessity in Shia Imāmī doctrine."
    (Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah: 7/245)

◈ Consensus (Ijma') of the Ummah

There is unanimous agreement among Muslims that Mut'ah has been permanently abrogated and forbidden.
  • Imām Abū ʿUbayd Qāsim bin Sallām:
    "There is consensus that Mut'ah was abrogated and made haram through the Book and Sunnah. None of the companions upheld its permissibility, except Ibn ʿAbbās (RA), who later retracted."
    (al-Nāsikh wal-Mansūkh, p. 80, 82)
  • Imām al-Baghawī:
    "There is consensus among scholars on the prohibition of Mut'ah."
    (Sharḥ al-Sunnah, 9/100)
  • Imām Ibn al-Jawzī:
    "Consensus has been established on the abrogation of Mut'ah."
    (Kashf al-Mushkil, 1/146)
  • Imām al-Qurṭubī:
    "There is Ijmaʿ of Muslims on its prohibition."
    (Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī, 5/133)
  • Imām al-Ṭaḥāwī:
    "ʿUmar (RA) forbade Mut'ah publicly in the presence of the Companions, and no one objected, proving their agreement."
    (Sharḥ Maʿānī al-Āthār, 3/26)

◈ Qur'anic Evidence

Allah ﷻ says:
"And those who guard their private parts — except with their wives or those their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy. But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are transgressors."
(Surah al-Muʾminūn: 5–7, al-Maʿārij: 29–31)

Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah (RA) referenced this verse to establish the prohibition of any relationship outside lawful Nikah.

◈ Hadith Evidence on the Prohibition of Mut'ah

Mut'ah was first banned during the Battle of Khaybar, temporarily allowed at Fath Makkah, and finally prohibited forever.
  • Narration of ʿAlī (RA):
    "The Prophet ﷺ forbade Mut'ah and the meat of domestic donkeys at Khaybar."
    (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5115, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1407/30)

◈ Scholarly Affirmation of This Hadith

  • Imām al-Nassākh:
    "There is no dispute over the authenticity of the narration from ʿAlī (RA)."
    (al-Nāsikh wal-Mansūkh, p. 322)
  • Imām al-Baghawī:
    "Unanimous scholarly agreement on its authenticity."
    (Sharḥ al-Sunnah, 9/99)
  • Imām Ibn al-Jawzī, al-ʿIrāqī, al-Sakhāwī, and al-Bukhārī also confirm its soundness and consensus.

◈ Addressing the Doubt Regarding the Day of Khaybar

Some claim that the ban on Mut'ah could not have occurred at Khaybar due to the presence of Jewish women. However:
  • Ibn Qayyim argued that marrying Ahl al-Kitāb was not permitted then.
  • Ibn Ḥajar clarified: "The Prophet ﷺ gave the command of prohibition on that day — not that Mut'ah was practiced there."

◈ Final Summary

This article has established that Nikah Mut'ah is permanently prohibited based on:

Sahih Ahadith,
Ijmaʿ of the Ummah, and
Statements of leading scholars.

The Hadith from ʿAlī (RA) and Ibn ʿUmar (RA) clearly show that Mut'ah was forbidden on the Day of Khaybar. Claims of confusion around the timeline are refuted by authenticated chains and scholarly consensus.
 
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