'Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said to Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on the Day of Khaibar forbade forever the contracting of temporary marriage and the eating of the flesh of domestic asses.
The Prohibition of Mut'ah Marriage
This narration from Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib establishes the permanent prohibition of temporary marriage (mut'ah) which was practiced in the early days of Islam. The prohibition occurred during the Battle of Khaibar in the seventh year after Hijrah, marking a decisive moment in Islamic marital law.
Mut'ah marriage refers to a time-bound contractual marriage where the duration and dowry are specified in advance. While initially permitted during travel and military campaigns, this hadith confirms its abrogation and permanent prohibition for the Muslim ummah until the Day of Judgment.
Context and Significance
The Battle of Khaibar represents a turning point where many Islamic laws were finalized. The prohibition of mut'ah alongside the prohibition of donkey meat indicates the comprehensive nature of Islamic legislation addressing both social relations and consumption matters.
Scholars note that this prohibition establishes the permanent nature of Islamic marriage as a sacred institution based on stability, commitment, and responsibility, rather than temporary arrangements that undermine family structure and social harmony.
Legal Implications
This hadith forms the foundation for the consensus among Sunni scholars regarding the impermissibility of temporary marriage. The phrase "forbade forever" indicates the eternal nature of this prohibition, not limited to specific circumstances.
The ruling applies to all Muslims regardless of time or place, emphasizing that Islamic marriage must be founded on permanence, mutual rights, and the establishment of stable family units that serve as the building blocks of Islamic society.