Introduction
Temporary marriage involves a man entering into a marriage agreement with a woman for a specified time that can range from a few hours to several days. This kind of marriage is seen to have its major objective in satisfying needs of flesh and a large number of Sunni sects of Islam perceive it as an illicit sex. However, some Lebanese see it as a gift from God to help them remain sane until the right time when they can marry for good. The temporary union commonly known as Muta’a is therefore seen by many as a safety valve that is divinely sanctioned because the argument is; it is a solution to many problems of people especially youth as it helps in keeping away from adultery which refers to extra marital sex (Haeri, 1989).
Temporary marriage in Lebanon
The temporary union is being supported by some legal experts arguing that, it is based on Prophet Mohammed’s authority and maintains balance of the demands of marriage and the need of human flesh. The need is basically a sexual problem that human beings suffer from. Temporary marriage according to the traditions of Muslims has existed since the era of Prophet Muhammad who recommended it so that it could help his followers meet their needs. This was common when ordinary marriage failed during difficult circumstances especially pilgrimage as well as military campaigns. Today, the practice has been abandoned by Sunni Muslims because the argument by their legal scholars is that, it was only permitted in the ancient Muslim community during circumstances that were extraordinary and therefore it should not continue. Shiite Muslims in Lebanon is the largest religious group that supports temporary marriage. It is even legalized as a valid union as it has all the formalities of ordinary marriage including contracts as well as payment of dowry. They know sex is a basic need for a living man that must be satisfied even when a man or a woman has not married. They see it better to have a brief marriage than having windows and divorcees as well as those without cash to pay for the dowry in a customary marriage, burn with their sex emotions even if it means concluding this marriage in hours if not years. Temporary marriage is therefore a humble affair practiced among the members of community in Lebanon (Haeri, 1992).
Those engaging into this type of marriage usually enter into a verbal contract and pay a simple dowry usually in cash as well as other minor gifts such as a dress or a fruit. This form of exchange is much valued even when it is just a symbol that has to be exchanged. Researches have shown that, in Lebanon, one is not permitted to have a civil marriage and only marriages that are religious can take place. However, temporary marriage can be arranged easily as the couple just requires agreeing on the length of their marriage as well as on the matters of finance. A Shiite cleric is then approached by the couple so that he can approve the contract. Enough study has shown that, majority of women who are married temporarily accept the marriage out of pressure from their problems as well as financial needs (Haeri, 1989).
Most of the couples of temporary marriage in Lebanon comprises of young men marrying older women. Supporters of temporary marriage in Lebanon argue that, since the union does not involve use of force, it cannot be termed as a violation of the right of women. The Quran declares temporary marriage as legal and detach it from prostitution because; a person who has had a temporary marriage even if it was concluded after one hour cannot soon have another contract unlike in prostitution where a prostitute can enter another contract even after one hour. In temporary marriage, a woman has to wait for several months before she can temporarily be married again. This is equivalent to two menstrual cycles or 45 days if the woman fails to menstruate for some reason during her menstruating age (Friedl, 1994).
Disadvantages of temporary marriage in Lebanon
Research has shown that, when young women frequent into temporary marriages before they decide to be permanently married, it becomes hard for them to get permanent husbands. The children who are also born of such marriages have a difficult future as they are denied a chance to have both of their biological parents and this may psychologically impact negatively in their lives (Oppenheimer, 1988).
Conclusion
The main aim of temporary marriage in Lebanon is to obtain pleasure but not establishment of a permanent house with a stable family. It is meant to offer solutions to young people especially in the age of twenties to thirties manage their sexual instincts, especially when they lack a chance to permanently get married. It has full legal status and is referred to as temporary because the time limit of the relationship is determined by the man and woman who are in need of each other at that time.
References
- Haeri S. (1989): Law of Desire: Temporary Marriage in Sh’i Iran: Syracuse University Press pp. 23-27
- Haeri S. (1992): Temporary Marriage and the State in Lebanon an Islamic Discourse on Female Sexuality pp. 13-17
- Haeri S. (1989): Law of Desire: Temporary Marriage in Shi’a Islam: Syracuse University Press pp. 36-41
- Friedl E. (1994): Temporary marriage: University of Chicago pp. 70-74
- Oppenheimer V. (1988): A Theory of Marriage Timing: University of Chicago Press pp. 16-20