“Indeed, Allah’s messenger (SAW) prohibited enjoying women (Mut’ah) on the day of Khaybar, and he prohibited eating the donkeys (contrary to Zebras)”. (Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others).

Nikahu Mut’ah or marriage of enjoyment is a kind of temporary arrangement between a man and a woman(whether previously married or not) whereby both would agree to go into marriage relationship for a specified period of time and terminate such relationships at the expiration of the specific time. Furthermore, the two partners do not inherit each other neither do they separate with any formal process of divorce. This type of marriage was common during the period of Jahiliyyah (that is the pre-Islamic era). Its purpose was to merely fulfill a physical need for the man.

Mut’ah marriage was initially permitted for the Muslims by the Holy Prophet but later abolished permanently. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “Mut’ah has been abolished by marriage, divorce, iddah and inheritance. (Sahihu Al-Jamii).

Even though the ‘Ulama’ differ as to the actual period of its prohibition, the stronger opinion is that it was finally abolished during the conquest of Makkah. Salorah bin Ma’bid reported that at the time of the conquest of Makkah, Allah’s Messenger said; “O people! I had previously permitted you to have women by way of Mut’ah. But indeed, Allah has now prohibited that until the day of resurrection. Thus anyone who has such women should let them go, and should not take any of what you gave them. (Muslim, Ibn Majah).

Marriage on temporary arrangement is tantamount to Zina (adultery) after its prohibition during the conquest of Makkah. A Muslim whether at home or in transit (on a journey) is forbidden from having a temporary contract with a woman for mere enjoyment as still commonly practiced today.

In Nigeria, this type of marriage has been institutionalized in some quarters where certain young girls are arranged for some government functionaries in the name of ministers, governors, ambassadors and their likes where the girls are lodged with them inside their rooms till the end of their visitation or call. Muslims are urged to desist.

Also, known with this odious practice are the tanker drivers who have concubines at different stations with whom they claim to relax on their way to their various destinations; whereas the men in question still have their wives at home. This act is disgusting. Marriage should be contracted by following due process and terminated with due process as well. Those who engage in Mut’ah marriage especially the Shia sect should repent and desist if any of them desires to meet the pleasure of Allah.

Similar to Mut’ah marriage is the “marriage of ‘Tahlil”. This is a situation whereby a man decides to temporarily go into a woman in order to make her return to her divorced husband. In Islam, if a man divorces his wife three times, he may not take the woman back after her ‘iddah’ period unless she first marries another man. If after having spent some time with the second husband who is expected to have consummated the marriage (i.e having had sexual intercourse with her ; the second husband now willingly divorces her the first husband can now re-marry her. But if the second husband decides to marry her for the purpose of having sexual intercourse with her in order for her return to the first husband, this is absolutely forbidden in Islam. The Holy Prophet was reported to have said; “Allah curses the one who performs ‘tahlil’, and the one for whom it is performed. (Ahmad, An-Nasai and others). Also, the Holy Prophet nicknamed the Muhallil a borrowed Billy goat by saying; “Should I not inform you of a hired Billy goat? “It is a person who performs tahlil…”. (Ibn Majah, Hakim, Bayhaqi).

Worst still in the marriage of a muslim to a pagan or non-believer. Allah (SWT) outrightly forbade the believers from taking non-believers as marriage partners irrespective of their social status and physical make-up. Allah (SWT) says: “Allah do not marry pagan women until they believe (in Allah alone). In fact, a believing female slave (of Allah) is better than a pagan even if though the pagan woman may appeal to your emotional feelings: And do not marry pagan men until they believe (in Allah). Indeed, a believing male slave (of Allah) is better than a pagan even though he might thrill you in appearance. Those pagans invite you to hell fire whereas Allah invites you to Al-Jannah and to forgiveness, by His permission”. Q2:221

To be continued.