Was temporary marriage abrogated?

Question number one:

One of the innovators made the claim that the Prophet Muhammad (s.) had forbidden the time marriage and the flesh of the donkey in Khaibar and thus it has been abrogated. The following sources were mentioned: Al-Istibsar, volume 3 page 142; At-Tahdhib, volume 2 page 186 and Wasa’il-ush-Shi’ah, volume 14 page 441. Is this the actual wording of the report?

Answer:
A statement of this kind is not attributable to the infallible (a.).

Al-Husain (a.) reported that Imam Ali (a.) said: “The Prophet Muhammad (s.) has forbidden the flesh of the domesticated donkey and temporary marriage on the day of Khaibar.” [Tahdhib-ul-Ahkam by At-Tusi, Volume 6 Page 251 Hadith 10]

واما ما رواه محمد بن يحيى عن أبي جعفر عن أبي الجوزا عن الحسين بن علوان عن عمرو بن خالد عن زيد بن علي عن آبائه عن علي عليهم السلام قال: حرم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله يوم خيبر لحوم الحمر الأهلية ونكاح المتعة

Although the report proves that this form of marriage was forbidden on the day of Khaibar – which is understandable since it was at the time of a battle and conquest – this proves neither a ban nor an abrogation for the time afterwards.

Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.) reported that Imam Ali (a.) said: “May God curse the son of Khattab, for had he not been, no one would have been illegitimate except for an wretched or a miserable, for in marriage for a temporary period, in opposition to the illegitimate intercourse, there is a benefit for those who surrender themselves completely to God. Then he recited: “And among men there are many whose discourses on this worldly life please you, and who calls on God to witness what is in his heart. He is the most contentious enemy. And when he is in power, he travels around the earth to cause mischief on it and to destroy fields of seed and offspring. But God does not love evil.” (2:204-205) [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, Volume 53, page 31]

روي في بعض مؤلفات أصحابنا، عن الحسين بن حمدان، عن محمد ابن إسماعيل وعلي بن عبد الله الحسني، عن أبي شعيب [و] محمد بن نصير، عن عمر بن الفرات، عن محمد بن المفضل، عن المفضل بن عمر عن جعفر بن محمد الصادق عليهما السلام قال: وقول أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: لعن الله ابن الخطاب فلولاه ما زنى إلا شقي أو شقية لأنه كان يكون للمسلمين غناء في المتعة عن الزنا ثم تلا ومن الناس من يعجبك قوله في الحياة الدنيا ويشهد الله على ما في قلبه وهو ألد الخصام وإذا تولى سعى في الأرض ليفسد فيها ويهلك الحرث والنسل والله لا يحب الفساد

The followers of Umar also confess that temporary marriage was allowed after the day of Khaibar.

Yahya Ibn Sharaf An-Nawawi writes: “The correct rule is that the ban and permission happened twice. It was allowed before Khaibar. Then it was forbidden on the day of Khaibar. Then it was allowed on the day of the opening of Mecca.” And he writes: “The companions of Malik had disagreements: “Will the border punishment (Hadd) be carried out on the person who has intercourse with it? And according to our school of law, no border penalty is carried out on him because of the doubt about the marriage contract and the doubt about the disagreement.” [Sharh Sahih Muslim, Vol. 3 Page 528 – 529 Hadith 1404]

قال يحيى بن شرف النووي: والصواب المختار أن التحريم والإباحة كانا مرتين، وكانت حلالا قبل خيبر، ثم حرمت يوم خيبر، ثم أبيحت يوم فتح مكة وقال النووي: واختلف أصحاب مالك : هل يحد الواطئ فيه؟ ومذهبنا أنه لا يحد لشبهة العقد وشبهة الخلاف

Second question:

Furthermore, the innovator claimed that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) had been asked about the temporary marriage and had responded that only prostitutes could do such a thing and that anyone who did so was indecent and named the 100th volume of Bihar-ul-Anwar on page 318 as the source. Is this really the wording of the infallible (a.)?

Answer:

The servant of Umar has lied!

Hisham Ibn Al-Hakam reported that Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.) said: “With us no one will do it except for the wicked.” [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, volume 100 page 318 Hadith 36]

الحسين بن سعيد أو النوادر: ابن أبي عمير، عن هشام بن الحكم، عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: ما تفعلها عندنا إلا الفواجر

Neither does the Imam (a.) say, that anyone who enters into this form of marriage, is a prostitute (no one has automatically through this) nor does he say, that this form of marriage is generally forbidden.The reason, why the Imam (a.) warns of women with him, could be, that it is forbidden for a man,to enter into this form of marriage, who sins by way of fornication.

Muhammad Ibn Isma’il Ibn Bazi’ reported that Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.) said: “You shall not marry anyone except for a believing or godly woman, for God says: “The fornicator marries none but an fornicator or an idolater. And the fornicator, none marries her except for an fornicator or an idolater. This is forbidden for the believers.” (24:3) [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, vol. 100 page 318 Hadith 37]

الحسين بن سعيد أو النوادر: محمد بن إسماعيل بن بزيع عن أبي الحسن عليه السلام قال: لا ينبغي لك إلا أن تتزوج مؤمنة أو مسلمة إن الله يقول: الزاني لا ينكح إلا زانية أو مشركة والزانية لا ينكحها إلا زان أو مشرك وحرم ذلك على المؤمنين

Ali Ibn Ibrahim Al-Qummi writes: “Thus God forbade the bond with those who have illegitimate intercourse (prostitutes), for He said: “The fornicator marries none but an fornicator or an idolater. And the fornicator, none marries her except for an fornicator or an idolater. This is forbidden for the believers.” (24:3) And this is the refutation for those, who allow the marriage for a limited period and for a permanent period with those who have illegitimate intercourse, while they are known for it.” [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, Volume 31, Page 97]

قال علي بن إبراهيم القمي: ثم حرم الله عز وجل نكاح الزواني، فقال: الزَّانِي لا يَنْكِحُ إِلاَّ زانِيَةً أَوْ مُشْرِكَةً وَالزَّانِيَةُ لا يَنْكِحُها إِلاَّ زانٍ أَوْ مُشْرِكٌ وَحُرِّمَ ذلِكَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، وهو رد على من يستحل التمتع بالزواني والتزويج بهن، وهن المشهورات المعروفات بذلك

Third question:

The innovator also made the claim that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) had taught his companions Ammar and Sulaiman that temporary marriage was forbidden in Islam and quoted the 5th volume of Al-Kafi on page 467 as the source. Which incident is it really about?

Answer:

The servant of Umar lied!

Al-Hakam Ibn Miskin reported that Ammar said: “Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.) said to me and Sulaiman Ibn Khallad: “I have forbidden you both to marry for a temporary period so long as you both are in Medina, because you two have often come to me and i was afraid for you, that you would be arrested and told: “These are the companions of Ja’far.” [Al-Kafi by Al-Kulaini, volume 5 page 476 Hadith 10]

عدة من أصحابنا، عن سهل بن زياد، عن علي بن أسباط، ومحمد بن الحسين جميعا، عن الحكم بن مسكين، عن عمار قال: قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام لي ولسليمان بن خالد: قد حرمت عليكما المتعة من قبلي ما دمتما بالمدينة لانكما تكثران الدخول علي فأخاف أن تؤخذا، فيقال: هؤلاء أصحاب جعفر

Abu Sarah reported that he asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.): “What about the temporary marriage? He said: ” It is allowed, but do not marry any woman except a chaste woman, for God says: “And they keep their shame.” (23:5) Therefore do not put your shame where your dirham is not safe.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, volume 5 page 453 Hadith 2]

وعنه، عن أحمد بن محمد، عن العباس بن موسى، عن إسحاق، عن أبي سارة قال: سألت أبا عبد الله عليه السلام عنها – يعني المتعة – فقال لي حلال فلا تتزوج إلا عفيفة إن الله عز وجل يقول: والذين هم لفروجهم حافظون فلا تضع فرجك حيث لا تأمن على درهمك

Fourth question:

The innovator added that, according to Imam As-Sadiq (a.), anyone who enters into a temporary marriage would be dirty and impure and thus it would be forbidden, and quoted the 100th volume of Bihar-ul-Anwar on page 318 as the source. Is this the actual wording of the infallible (a.)?

Answer:

The servant of Umar lied!

Abdullah Ibn Sinan reported that he asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.) about the temporary marriage and said: “Do not be impure with it.” [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, vol. 100 page 318 Hadith 34]

قال لي محمد بن أبي عمير، عن عبد الله بن سنان قال: سألت أبا عبد الله عليه السلام عن المتعة فقال: لا تدنس نفسك بها

The infallible (a.) does not say that this form of marriage makes someone unclean in itself, but that one can make oneself unclean with it and one should not do this. So it is not a prohibition, but an instruction in how to deal with it.

Abdullah Ibn Sinan reported that he asked Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.) about the temporary marriage and said: “What have you to do with it if God has made it unnecessary for you? Abdullah Ibn Sinan said: “I just wanted to know about it.” Imam Al-Kazim (a.) said: “It is mentioned in the book of Ali (a.).”[Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, volume 100 page 318 Hadith 35]

الحسين بن سعيد أو النوادر: سمعت ابن أبي عمير، عن علي بن يقطين قال: سألت أبا الحسن عليه السلام عن المتعة قال: وما أنت وذاك وقد أغناك الله عنها، قلت إنما أردت أن أعلمها قال: في كتاب علي

Muhammad Ibn Sadaqah Al-Basri reported that he asked Imam Ali Ar-Rida (a.) about the temporary marriage and said: “Is this not the position of the maid? Imam Ar-Rida (a.) replied: “Yes. Have you not read the Word of God: “If any of you have no means to marry protected believing women, let him marry women from among the believing maidservants that your right hand possesses. God knows better about your faith. Some of you come from others. So marry them with the permission of their guardians, and give them their bridal gift in the lawful way, as protected women who do not commit fornication and do not take lovers.” (4:25) Just as it is not the mans right to marry a maid, and he can marry a free woman, so it is not the mans right to marry a maid for a limited time, whereby he can marry a free woman.” [Tafsir Al-Ayyashi, Volume 1 Page 234 Hadith 90]

وقال محمد بن صدقة البصري: سألته عن المتعة أليس في هذا بمنزلة الإماء قال: نعم اما تقرء قول الله: ” ومن لم يستطع منكم طولا أن ينكح المحصنات المؤمنات إلى قوله: ولا متخذات أخدان  فكما لا يسع الرجال ان يتزوج الأمة وهو يستطيع أن يتزوج بالحرة، فكذلك لا يسع الرجل ان يتمتع بالأمة وهو يستطيع ان يتزوج بالحرة

Zurarah reported that Abdullah Ibn Umair came to Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (a.) and said: “What do you say about marriage with women for a limited time? Imam Al-Baqir (a.) replied: “God has permitted it in His Book and through the tongue of His Prophet (s.). Therefore it is permitted until the Last Day.” Abdullah said: “O Abu Ja’far, you permit it, although Umar, the commander of the believers, has forbidden it?” Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said: “Even if he had forbidden it.” Abdullah said: “I take refuge from someone like you who allows what Umar has forbidden.” Imam Al-Baqir (a.) replied: “Then you follow the opinion of your companion and I follow the word of the Prophet Muhammad (s.). So invoke a curse, but the truth is what His Messenger (s.) said, and falsehood is what your companion said.” Then Abdullah Ibn Umair approached Imam Al-Baqir (a.) and said: “Would it please you if your wives, your daughters, your sisters and your uncle’s daughters married for a limited time? Imam Al-Baqir (a.) then turned away from him and his conversation when he mentioned his wives and his uncle’s daughters.” [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, Volume 100 Page 317 – 318 Hadith 31]

الحسين بن سعيد أو النوادر: محمد بن أبي عصير، عن ابن أذينة، عن زرارة قال: جاء عبد الله بن عمير إلى أبي جعفر عليه السلام فقال: ما تقول في متعة النساء؟ فقال: أحلها الله في كتابه وعلى لسان نبيه فهي حلال إلى يوم القيامة، فقال: يا أبا جعفر مثلك يقول هذا وقد حرمها أمير المؤمنين عمر؟ فقال: وإن كان فعل، فقال: إني أعيذك أن تحل شيئا قد حرمه عمر فقال: وأنت على قول صاحبك وأنا على قول رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله فهلم فألاعنك أن القول ما قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وأن الباطل ما قال صاحبك، قال: فأقبل عليه عبد الله بن عمير فقال: يسرك أن نساءك وبناتك وأخواتك وبنات عمك يفعلن؟ فأعرض عنه أبو جعفر عليه السلام وعن مقالته حين ذكر نساءه وبنات عمه

The temporary marriage should therefore not be misused to replace permanent marriage and should not be used unnecessarily as a rule and without doubt the wrong handling of permitted things can lead to impurity and sin, which, however, does not make the permitted things inherently forbidden.

In the Qur’an it says: “And give to the relative his right, as well as to the needy and to the traveller, but do not act quite wastefully. Those who are wasteful are brothers of Satans; and Satan is very ungrateful to his Lord. And if thou turn away from them in pursuit of a Mercy from your Lord which you hoped for, speak to them mild words. And do not let your hand be tied to your neck, but do not stretch it out completely. Otherwise you would be reprimanded and poverty-stricken.” [Al-Isra’ 17:26-29]

وآت ذا القربى حقه والمسكين وابن السبيل ولا تبذر تبذيرا إن المبذرين كانوا إخوان الشياطين وكان الشيطان لربه كفورا وإما تعرضن عنهم ابتغاء رحمة من ربك ترجوها فقل لهم قولا ميسورا ولا تجعل يدك مغلولة إلى عنقك ولا تبسطها كل البسط فتقعد ملوما محسورا