Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prohibited the contracting of temporary marriage and said: Behold, it is forbidden from this very day of yours to the Day of Resurrection, and he who has given something (as a dower) should not take it back.
The Prohibition of Mut'ah Marriage
This narration from Sahih Muslim 1406 l establishes the absolute prohibition of temporary marriage (mut'ah) in Islamic law. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared it forbidden until the Day of Resurrection, indicating the permanence and gravity of this prohibition.
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars of Islam unanimously agree that mut'ah marriage - where a man marries a woman for a specified period in exchange for a specified dowry - is absolutely forbidden. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the duration is long or short.
The phrase "from this very day of yours to the Day of Resurrection" indicates the eternal nature of this prohibition, abrogating any temporary permission that may have existed earlier in Islamic history.
Legal Implications
The prohibition extends to both the contract itself and any financial transactions related to it. If such a marriage occurs, it is considered invalid and the couple must separate immediately.
Regarding the dowry mentioned in the hadith, scholars explain that if the marriage has been consummated, the woman retains the full dowry as compensation for the violation of her honor, even though the marriage itself was invalid.
Wisdom Behind the Prohibition
The prohibition protects the sanctity of marriage and preserves lineage. Temporary marriages undermine the permanent commitment that marriage requires in Islam and can lead to confusion in lineage and family structure.
This ruling emphasizes that marriage in Islam is a sacred covenant intended for permanence, procreation, and the establishment of stable families - objectives that cannot be achieved through temporary arrangements.