Why do Shi'as allow mut'ah marriage?
In Shia Islam, mut'ah, or temporary marriage, is considered a permissible form of marriage due to specific interpretations of the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The foundation for this practice is often traced back to verses in the Qur'an that discuss marriage and sexual relations.
One of the key verses cited in support of mut'ah is found in Surah An-Nisaa, where Allah mentions relationships permissible for believers. The verse states, And whoso is not able to afford to marry free, believing women, let them marry from the believing maids whom your right hands possess
4:25. This verse implies that those unable to marry free women can engage in relationships with those they have the means to support, which can include temporary arrangements.
Moreover, the Shia scholar Al-Kafi records that Imam Abu al-Hasan stated, It is lawful and permissible absolutely for one whom Allah has not provided with marriage. Let him preserve his chastity with mut'ah...
Al-Kafi 3:671. This highlights the view that mut'ah serves as a means of fulfilling one's needs for companionship and intimacy while maintaining moral conduct.
Additionally, historical practices during the time of the Prophet ﷺ are often cited. Both Sahih al-Bukhari and Al-Kafi present narrations indicating that mut'ah was practiced during the Prophet's time without any prohibitions from him until later periods. For instance, Sahih al-Bukhari states, The verse about al-Mut'ah...was revealed in the Book of Allah, and we practiced it with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and no Qur'anic verse was revealed forbidding it nor did he forbid it until he died
Sahih al-Bukhari 65:43.
Thus, Shia Muslims view mut'ah as a legitimate and beneficial practice when circumstances warrant it, allowing for temporary unions that can fulfill emotional and physical needs without the full obligations of a permanent marriage. This approach contrasts with Sunni interpretations, where mut'ah is generally prohibited.
Sources
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4:25
4:25 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنكُمْ طَوْلًا أَن يَنكِحَ ٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ فَمِن مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُم مِّن فَتَيَٰتِكُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَٰنِكُم ۚ بَعْضُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ فَٱنكِحُوهُنَّ بِإِذْنِ أَهْلِهِنَّ وَءَاتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ مُحْصَنَٰتٍ غَيْرَ مُسَٰفِحَٰتٍۢ وَلَا مُتَّخِذَٰتِ أَخْدَانٍۢ ۚ فَإِذَآ أُحْصِنَّ فَإِنْ أَتَيْنَ بِفَٰحِشَةٍۢ فَعَلَيْهِنَّ نِصْفُ مَا عَلَى ٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِىَ ٱلْعَنَتَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأَن تَصْبِرُوا۟ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
And whoso is not able to afford to marry free, believing women, let them marry from the believing maids whom your right hands possess. Allah knoweth best (concerning) your faith. Ye (proceed) one from another; so wed them by permission of their folk, and give unto them their portions in kindness, they being honest, not debauched nor of loose conduct. And if when they are honourably married they commit lewdness they shall incur the half of the punishment (prescribed) for free women (in that case). This is for him among you who feareth to commit sin. But to have patience would be better for you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
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Al-Kafi 3:671
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 671
I asked about a man who kissed his wife while he was in Ihram. He said, "He must offer a penalty, and if he did not ejaculate, he is not allowed to eat from her." — OR — I asked Abu al-Hasan (peace be upon him) about mut'ah. He said: It is lawful and permissible absolutely for one whom Allah has not provided with marriage. Let him preserve his chastity with mut'ah, but if he becomes content with marriage, then mut'ah becomes lawful for him when he is absent from his wife.
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Sahih al-Bukhari 65:43
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 65, Hadith 43 · Narrated by Imran ibn Husain
The verse about al-Mut'ah (temporary marriage) was revealed in the Book of Allah, and we practiced it with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and no Qur'anic verse was revealed forbidding it nor did he forbid it until he died. So a man spoke his opinion as he wished.
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