Muta
Question :

I got married to a woman by way of temporary marriage, and the woman recited the following formula: "Jawwaztuka Nafsi fee muddatil ... ala Mahr ... ", and I replied: "Qabiltu." Is this sufficient?

Answer :

The said marriage contract is valid.

A Scholar in Temporary Marriage
Question :

Do we need a scholar in order to perform the temporary marriage contract?

Answer :

The contract can be done by yourselves, but it is better to seek the help of a religious cleric.

Temporary Marriage
Question :

Is there a proper format or structure for a contract when arranging a temporary marriage other than agreeing on the amount of dower and setting a length of time for the marriage or is an informal verbal agreement between the two parties sufficient?

Answer :

The woman can say: "I marry myself to you on a dower of so-and-so and for the duration of so-and-so." and mention the amount of dower and the duration of marriage and then the man accepts by saying: "I accept". He can start the contract by saying: "I marry you on a dower of so-and-so and for the duration of so-and-so" the woman then accepts by saying: "I accept".
This can be in any language.

Temporary Marriage Contract
Question :

We read on the website of his Eminence that a temporary marriage without sexual intercourse does not require the father's permission. Does this mean that it should be stipulated within the terms of the marriage contract that sexual intercourse will not take place?

Answer :

It is not a requirement for the temporary marriage contract to be valid without the father's consent that it is explicitly stipulated as a condition of the contract that no intercourse will take place.

Understanding Temporary Marriage
Question :

If I want to conduct temporary marriage with a female, is it sufficient to explain it briefly to her, or should I give an in-depth explanation?

Answer :

Both parties must understand the relation as a religiously recognized marital relation for a certain time in an exchange for a dower.

Marriage without Recitation
Question :

Is temporary contract valid by agreeing on the time period and dower only, without reciting the formula?

Answer :

The temporary marriage is not valid if the actual contract was not pronounced.

Temporary Marriage Contract
Question :

What is the difference between a temporary marriage contract and consummating a temporary marriage?

Answer :

The contract refers to the actual recitation of the words that create the religious matrimonial relationship, and consummating the marriage refers to the actual sexual intercourse between the bride and groom.

Contract in English
Question :

Is it correct to say the words of the temporary marriage contract, and explain the dowry and time duration afterwards? If I am doing Mut’ah marriage with an Ahlul-Kitab woman, is it correct for me to recite the contract on behalf of her too, as it would be difficult for her to do so?

Answer :

The temporary marriage contract does not have to be in the Arabic language. It can be recited in any other language. The marriage contract must include the time period and the specific dowry amount, and both parties must understand these terms and agree to them. The couple can agree on them before the contract and then refer to the agreed in the contractual words.

The Contract Over the Internet
Question :

I want to have temporary marriage with a woman. I feel more comfortable to contract this marriage on the internet by chatting with her through instant messaging . Is this permissible?

Answer :

It is necessary for both parties to have live verbal communication with one another during the pronouncing of the formula of the contract, so writing and typing alone is not sufficient.

Explaining the Temporary Marriage
Question :

If I know a female very well, may I explain to her the temporary marriage contract via chat and even tell her to recite the vows via chat?

Answer :

Explaining the temporary contract to her over the chat is permissible but conducting the marriage contract must be through direct voice conversation.

Marriage Contract
Question :

Is it allowed to recite the temporary marriage contract formula on the phone or to write it in an email or in a chatroom?

Answer :

It is valid if it was via telephone or similar live voice communication, and not valid if it was via chat or email.

Over the Phone
Question :

Can a virgin girl enter into a temporary marriage on the phone (in a long-distance relationship) with a person with the intention of avoiding any sin if there happens to be any sexual talk between them, considering that they intend to marry soon in the future?

Answer :

It is permissible.

Time of Marriage Contract
Question :

When someone is choosing a time in the temporary marriage contract, can he say that this contract will continue until a particular event takes place, like the beginning of the school year?

Answer :

This will not be sufficient, as one must choose a specific time like the number of days, months, years and the like.

Not specifying the Time of Marriage
Question :

Can a couple during a temporary marriage contract, in specifying the time-frame, decide that they will continue in this relationship as long as things are good between us?

Answer :

One must choose a specific time, like the number of days, months, years and the like.

Forgetting the Period of the Marriage
Question :

What is the ruling if the couple who is contracting temporary marriage forgets to mention the marriage period? If it becomes a permanent marriage, can they end the marriage with divorce? If so, what are the rulings in regards to witnesses and the Iddah?

Answer :

Yes, the marriage becomes permanent. The marriage is ended by divorce which requires two Adil men to witness it. The regular waiting period of Iddah of divorce must be observed if the marriage was consummated, but if the marriage was not consummated then there would be no need to observe the Iddah.

Not Mentioning the Time of Marriage
Question :

If I were to contract temporary marriage without specifying the time initially, but doing it afterwards because we were not sure of the duration at first, will the marriage still be valid?

Answer :

If the contract was done without specifying the time then the marriage becomes permanent, and the marriage can be ended by divorce and the obligations of divorce like Iddat and others should be observed.

How to Prolong the Temporary Marriage
Question :

How does one prolong the temporary marriage contract for some more time?

Answer :

This can be done by the man forgoing the remaining time (thus ending the temporary marriage) and forming a new temporary marriage contract.

Temporary to Permanent
Question :

How does one convert the temporary marriage into permanent marriage?

Answer :

This can be done by the man forgoing the remaining time (thus ending the temporary marriage) and forming a new permanent marriage contract.

Before the End of the Contract
Question :

Can we enter a new temporary marriage contract before the end of the current one? Can we waive the current time period remaining and then enter into a new contract?

Answer :

If the two parties wanted to renew the contact before its specified time ends, the husband should forgo the remaining time and there are no specific words for doing that.

Marraige Contract During Iddah
Question :

A man contracted temporary marriage. His wife became pregnant. During this period, he contracted permanent marriage with the same woman. Is this permanent marriage valid?

Answer :

As long as the marriage duration has not ended, permanent marriage is not valid. She is still his wife by the temporary marriage. If this marriage expires or he ends it by forgoing the rest of the duration, then they can conduct a permanent marriage with the fulfillment of the rest of the conditions.