Marriage

فِي رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ جَارِيَةً صَغِيرَةً فَأَرْضَعَتْهَا امْرَأَتُهُ أَوْ أُمُّ وَلَدِهِ قَالَ تَحْرُمُ عَلَيْهِ.

“About the case of a man who marries a small girl and his wife breastfeeds her or the mother of his children, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘She becomes unlawful for him.’”

الرَّضَاعُ الَّذِي يُنْبِتُ اللَّحْمَ وَ الدَّمَ هُوَ الَّذِي يَرْضِعُ حَتَّى يَتَمَلَّى وَ يَتَضَلَّعَ وَ يَنْتَهِيَ نَفْسُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Breastfeeding that grows flesh and blood is the one that he drinks until he feels weary and disinterested and his breath ends.”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ ابْنِي وَ ابْنَةَ أَخِي فِي حَجْرِي وَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أُزَوِّجَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِي إِنَّا قَدْ أَرْضَعْنَاهُمَا قَالَ فَقَالَ كَمْ قُلْتُ مَا أَدْرِي قَالَ فَأَدْرَانِي عَلَى أَنْ أُوَقِّتَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَدْرِي قَالَ فَقَالَ زَوِّجْهُ.

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that my son and the daughter of my brother are in my care and I want to arrange marriage between them but certain ones of my family has said that she has breastfed both of them. He (the Imam) asked, ’How much breastfeeding has taken place?’ I replied, ’I do not know.’ He (the Ima

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ تَزْعُمُ أَنَّهَا أَرْضَعَتِ الْمَرْأَةَ وَ الْغُلَامَ ثُمَّ تُنْكِرُ قَالَ تُصَدَّقُ إِذَا أَنْكَرَتْ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهَا قَالَتْ وَ ادَّعَتْ بَعْدُ بِأَنِّي قَدْ أَرْضَعْتُهُمَا قَالَ لَا تُصَدَّقُ وَ لَا تُنَعَّمُ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who alleges that she has breastfed a woman and a boy, then she denies. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you accept her words of denial?’ I replied, ‘She said it and alleged that she has breastfed them.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not acc

لَا يَصْلُحُ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ يَنْكِحَهَا عَمُّهَا وَ لَا خَالُهَا مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not proper for a woman to get married to her paternal or maternal uncle of breastfeeding.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تُنْكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ عَلَى عَمَّتِهَا وَ لَا عَلَى خَالَتِهَا وَ لَا عَلَى أُخْتِهَا مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع ذَكَرَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ابْنَةَ حَمْزَةَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهَا ابْنَةُ أَخِي مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَمُّهُ حَمْزَةُ ع قَدْ رَضَعَا مِنِ امْرَأَةٍ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘You must not marry a woman as a second wife, the first being her paternal aunt, maternal aunt of breastfeeding or her sister of breastfeeding. He (the Imam) said that Ali ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that daughter of Hamzah was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah, O Allah

عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ دَرَّ لَبَنُهَا مِنْ غَيْرِ وِلَادَةٍ فَأَرْضَعَتْ جَارِيَةً وَ غُلَاماً بِذَلِكَ اللَّبَنِ هَلْ يَحْرُمُ بِذَلِكَ اللَّبَنِ مَا يَحْرُمُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعِ قَالَ لَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who allows her milk without giving birth and breastfeeds a girl or a boy with that milk; if because of such milk the unlawfulness on account of breastfeeding comes into existence. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, unlawfulness does not come

قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا تَزَوَّجَ بِجَارِيَةٍ صَغِيرَةٍ فَأَرْضَعَتْهَا امْرَأَتُهُ ثُمَّ أَرْضَعَتْهَا امْرَأَةٌ لَهُ أُخْرَى فَقَالَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْجَارِيَةُ وَ امْرَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَخْطَأَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْجَارِيَةُ وَ امْرَأَتُهُ الَّتِي أَرْضَعَتْهَا أَوَّلًا فَأَمَّا الْأَخِيرَةُ فَلَمْ تَحْرُمْ عَلَيْهِ كَأَنَّهَا أَرْضَعَتِ ابْنَتَهَا[2].

“Once abu Ja‘far (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who married a small girl, then his wife breastfed her, then his other woman breastfed her. Ibn Shubramah has said that the girl and both of his wives become unlawful for him. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Ibn Shubramah has made a mistake. The girl and his wife

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ انْهَوْا نِسَاءَكُمْ أَنْ يُرْضِعْنَ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا فَإِنَّهُنَّ يَنْسَيْنَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ’Prohibit your wives from breastfeeding many children, left and right, because they forget.’”

إِذَا رَضَعَ الْغُلَامُ مِنْ نِسَاءٍ شَتَّى فَكَانَ ذَلِكَ عِدَّةً أَوْ نَبَتَ لَحْمُهُ وَ دَمُهُ عَلَيْهِ حَرُمَ عَلَيْهِ بَنَاتُهُنَّ كُلُّهُنَّ.

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ’Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ’If a boy is breastfed by different women and it is up to the required number or his flesh and blood grow, the daughters of all of them become unlawful for him for marriage.’”

سُئِلَ وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ- عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ أَرْضَعَتْ غُلَاماً مَمْلُوكاً لَهَا مِنْ لَبَنِهَا حَتَّى فَطَمَتْهُ هَلْ لَهَا أَنْ تَبِيعَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا هُوَ ابْنُهَا مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ حَرُمَ عَلَيْهَا بَيْعُهُ وَ أَكْلُ ثَمَنِهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ لَيْسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ يَحْرُمُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعِ مَا يَحْرُمُ مِنَ النَّسَبِ.

“This is concerning a question before abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, when I was present, about the case of a woman who has breastfed her own slave boy from her milk until weaning; if she can sell him. He (the narrator) has said, that he (the Imam) said, ‘No, because he is her son of breastfeeding. Selling him and con

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- عَنْ أُمِّ وَلَدٍ لِي صَدُوقٍ زَعَمَتْ أَنَّهَا أَرْضَعَتْ جَارِيَةً لِي أُصَدِّقُهَا قَالَ لَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu al-Hassan, Musa, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of mother of my child who is truthful and who alleges that she has breastfed my slave-girl: if I must accept her word. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, do not accept her word.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع امْرَأَةٌ أَرْضَعَتْ وَلَدَ الرَّجُلِ هَلْ يَحِلُّ لِذَلِكَ الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ ابْنَةَ هَذِهِ الْمُرْضِعَةِ أَمْ لَا فَوَقَّعَ ع لَا لَا تَحِلُّ لَهُ.

18. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ja’far who has said the following: “I once wrote to abu Muhammad, Alayhi al-Salam, and asked, ‘A woman has breastfed the son of a man; if the man can marry the daughter of breastfeeding woman. He (the Imam) signed the answer, ‘No, he cannot marry because it is not

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ ثَمَانِيَةٌ لَا تَحِلُّ مُنَاكَحَتُهُمْ أَمَتُكَ أُمُّهَا أَمَتُكَ أَوْ أُخْتُهَا أَمَتُكَ‌[1] وَ أَمَتُكَ وَ هِيَ عَمَّتُكَ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ وَ أَمَتُكَ وَ هِيَ خَالَتُكَ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ أَمَتُكَ وَ هِيَ أَرْضَعَتْكَ أَمَتُكَ وَ قَدْ وُطِئَتْ حَتَّى تَسْتَبْرِئَهَا بِحَيْضَةٍ أَمَتُكَ وَ هِيَ حُبْلَى مِنْ غَيْرِكَ أَمَتُكَ وَ هِيَ عَلَى سَوْمٍ‌[2] أَمَتُكَ وَ لَهَا زَوْجٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘In the following eight cases marriage is not permissible: Your slave-girl whose mother is your slave-girl, or her sister is your slave-girl, your slave-girl who is your paternal aunt of breastfeeding, your slave-girl who is your maternal aunt of breastf

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَتَزَوَّجُ قَابِلَتَهُ قَالَ لَا وَ لَا ابْنَتَهَا[3].

if one can marry his al- Qabilah (special nurse who helps one’s mother during her giving birth and thereafter). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, and not her daughter also.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنِ الْقَابِلَةِ أَ يَحِلُّ لِلْمَوْلُودِ أَنْ‌ يَنْكِحَهَا فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَا ابْنَتَهَا هِيَ بَعْضُ أُمَّهَاتِهِ. وَ - فِي رِوَايَةِ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: قَالَ إِنْ قَبِلَتْ وَ مَرَّتْ فَالْقَوَابِلُ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ قَبِلَتْ وَ رَبَّتْ حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about al-Qabilah (special nurse who helps one’s mother during her giving birth and thereafter); if the child can marry her. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, not her daughter also, because she is one of his mothers.’ Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar has narrated the following: “Abu

إِذَا اسْتَقْبَلَ الصَّبِيُّ الْقَابِلَةَ بِوَجْهِهِ حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَ حَرُمَ عَلَيْهِ وَلَدُهَا[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the child feels compassion toward al-Qabilah (special nurse who helps one’s mother during her giving birth and thereafter) she becomes unlawful to him for marriage as well as her children.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي الْقُرْآنِ- فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهِ مِنْهُنَّ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً وَ لا جُناحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيما تَراضَيْتُمْ بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الْفَرِيضَةِ[2].

“In response to my question before abu Ja’far (a.s.), about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage), he (the Imam) said, ‘It is mentioned in al-Quran, “If you marry them for al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) you must pay their dowries. There is no harm if you reach an understanding among yourselves about mahr (the dowry). Al

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ لَوْ لَا مَا سَبَقَنِي بِهِ بَنِي الْخَطَّابِ مَا زَنَى إِلَّا شَقِيٌ‌[3].

“I once heard Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying that Ali (a.s.), would say, ‘Had Banu al-Khattab not prohibited al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) before (the beginning of my administration) no one would commit fornication except the wicked ones.’”

إِنَّمَا نَزَلَتْ‌ فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهِ مِنْهُنَ‌ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى‌ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَ‌ فَرِيضَةً[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It was revealed as “If you marry them [for an appointed time] for al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) you must pay their dowries.” (4:24)’”

جَاءَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ اللَّيْثِيُّ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي مُتْعَةِ النِّسَاءِ فَقَالَ أَحَلَّهَا اللَّهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ وَ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّهِ ص فَهِيَ حَلَالٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مِثْلُكَ يَقُولُ هَذَا وَ قَدْ حَرَّمَهَا عُمَرُ وَ نَهَى عَنْهَا فَقَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَعَلَ قَالَ إِنِّي أُعِيذُكَ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَنْ تُحِلَّ شَيْئاً ح

“Once ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umayr al-Laythiy came to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and asked, ‘What do you say about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) of women?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah has made it lawful in His book by the tongue of His Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to

الْمُتْعَةُ نَزَلَ بِهَا الْقُرْآنُ وَ جَرَتْ بِهَا السُّنَّةُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

‘Al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) is mentioned in al- Quran and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has followed it.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ أَيَّ الْمُتْعَتَيْنِ تَسْأَلُ قَالَ سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ مُتْعَةِ الْحَجِّ فَأَنْبِئْنِي عَنْ مُتْعَةِ النِّسَاءِ أَ حَقٌّ هِيَ‌ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ أَ مَا قَرَأْتَ- كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهِ مِنْهُنَّ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً[1] فَقَالَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ وَ اللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّهَا آيَةٌ لَمْ أَق

“I heard abu Hanifah ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous matters). He (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you asking about the two al-Mut‘ah (advantageous matters)? 5 He said, ‘I asked you about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous matters of al-Hajj) and you inform me about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) is it true?’ He

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَتَزَوَّجُ الْمُتْعَةَ فَكَرِهْتُهَا وَ تَشَأَّمْتُ بِهَا فَأَعْطَيْتُ اللَّهَ عَهْداً بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ وَ الْمَقَامِ وَ جَعَلْتُ عَلَيَّ فِي ذَلِكَ نَذْراً وَ صِيَاماً أَلَّا أَتَزَوَّجَهَا ثُمَّ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ شَقَّ عَلَيَّ وَ نَدِمْتُ عَلَى يَمِينِي وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِيَدِي مِنَ الْقُوَّةِ مَا أَتَزَوَّجُ فِي الْعَلَانِيَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي عَاهَدْتَ اللَّهَ

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I would marry in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage), I then disliked it and had bad omens about it; then I promised before Allah between the corner of al-Ka 5 bah and the Station of Ibrahim (a.s.), kept a vow

سَأَلَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ النُّعْمَانِ صَاحِبَ الطَّاقِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْمُتْعَةِ أَ تَزْعُمُ أَنَّهَا حَلَالٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَمَا يَمْنَعُكَ أَنْ تَأْمُرَ نِسَاءَكَ أَنْ يُسْتَمْتَعْنَ وَ يَكْتَسِبْنَ عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ لَيْسَ كُلُّ الصِّنَاعَاتِ يُرْغَبُ فِيهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ حَلَالًا وَ لِلنَّاسِ أَقْدَارٌ وَ مَرَاتِبُ يَرْفَعُونَ

8. Ali has narrated from in a marfu’ manner saying: “Abu Hanifah once asked abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn al-Nu 5 man Sahib al-Taq saying, ‘O abu Ja‘far, what do you say about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage)? Do you think it is lawful? 5 He replied, ‘Yes, it is lawful. 5 He then said, ‘Why then do you not ask your women t

قُلْتُ كَمْ تَحِلُّ مِنَ الْمُتْعَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ هُنَّ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْإِمَاءِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about how many are lawful for al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). He (the Imam) said, ‘Their case is similar to slave-girls.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ أَ هِيَ مِنَ الْأَرْبَعِ فَقَالَ لَا.

“In response to my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) if it is one of the four, he (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not one of the four.’”

قُلْتُ مَا يَحِلُّ مِنَ الْمُتْعَةِ قَالَ كَمْ شِئْتَ.

‘It is as many as you wish.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ أَ هِيَ مِنَ الْأَرْبَعِ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَا مِنَ السَّبْعِينَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) is of four. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, even seventy is not unlawful.’”

لَيْسَتْ مِنَ الْأَرْبَعِ لِأَنَّهَا لَا تُطَلَّقُ وَ لَا تَرِثُ وَ إِنَّمَا هِيَ مُسْتَأْجَرَةٌ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) is not of four because it has no divorce or inheritance; she is only hired.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ الْقَ عَبْدَ الْمَلِكِ بْنَ جُرَيْجٍ‌[1] فَسَلْهُ عَنْهَا فَإِنَّ عِنْدَهُ مِنْهَا عِلْماً فَلَقِيتُهُ فَأَمْلَى عَلَيَّ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً كَثِيراً فِي اسْتِحْلَالِهَا فَكَانَ فِيمَا رَوَى لِيَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ قَالَ لَيْسَ فِيهَا وَقْتٌ وَ لَا عَدَدٌ إِنَّمَا هِيَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْإِمَاءِ يَتَزَوَّجُ مِنْهُنَّ كَمْ شَاءَ وَ صَاحِبُ الْأَرْبَعِ نِسْوَةٍ يَتَزَوَّجُ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). He (the Imam) said, ‘Meet ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Jurayh and ask him about it; he has information about it.’ I met him and he dictated a great deal of issues about its lawfulness. Among the matters that Ibn Jurayj narrated

ذَكَرْتُ لَهُ الْمُتْعَةَ أَ هِيَ مِنَ الْأَرْبَعِ فَقَالَ تَزَوَّجْ مِنْهُنَّ أَلْفاً فَإِنَّهُنَّ مُسْتَأْجَرَاتٌ.

“I once mentioned al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked if it is one of four (wives). He (the Imam) said, ’You may marry a thousand of them; they are on hire. 5 ”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ وَ مَا أَنْتَ وَ ذَاكَ فَقَدْ أَغْنَاكَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قُلْتُ إِنَّمَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَعْلَمَهَا فَقَالَ هِيَ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَقُلْتُ نَزِيدُهَا وَ تَزْدَادُ فَقَالَ وَ هَلْ يَطِيبُهُ إِلَّا ذَاكَ‌[1].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). He (the Imam) said, ‘What do you have to do with it when Allah has made you free of need for it?’ I then said, ‘I only wanted to know about it.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is in the book of Ali (a.s.) .’ I then asked, ‘Can we extend and the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ هِيَ حَلَالٌ مُبَاحٌ مُطْلَقٌ لِمَنْ لَمْ يُغْنِهِ اللَّهُ بِالتَّزْوِيجِ فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ بِالْمُتْعَةِ[2] فَإِنِ اسْتَغْنَى عَنْهَا بِالتَّزْوِيجِ فَهِيَ مُبَاحٌ لَهُ إِذَا غَابَ عَنْهَا.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful, permissible and available for those whom Allah has not made free of need for marriage, so he can maintain chastity by means of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage), and when he is free of such need by means of m

كَتَبَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِلَى بَعْضِ مَوَالِيهِ لَا تُلِحُّوا عَلَى الْمُتْعَةِ إِنَّمَا عَلَيْكُمْ إِقَامَةُ السُّنَّةِ[1] فَلَا تَشْتَغِلُوا بِهَا عَنْ فُرُشِكُمْ وَ حَرَائِرِكُمْ فَيَكْفُرْنَ وَ يَتَبَرَّيْنَ وَ يَدْعِينَ عَلَى الْآمِرِ بِذَلِكَ وَ يَلْعَنُونَا.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once wrote to certain ones of his followers and it (the letter) said, ‘You must not insist on al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). You only have to maintain the Sunnah. You must not involve in it to ignore your bed (wives) and your free ones to cause them turn to disbelief, disowning and claim agai

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي الْمُتْعَةِ دَعُوهَا أَ مَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يُرَى فِي مَوْضِعِ الْعَوْرَةِ[2] فَيُحْمَلَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى صَالِحِي إِخْوَانِهِ وَ أَصْحَابِهِ.

‘Stay away from it. Do you not feel ashamed of being seen in a place for which your virtuous brothers in belief and friends feel embarrassed?”’

إِنَّ الْمُتْعَةَ الْيَوْمَ لَيْسَ كَمَا كَانَتْ قَبْلَ الْيَوْمِ إِنَّهُنَّ كُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ يُؤْمَنَّ وَ الْيَوْمَ لَا يُؤْمَنَّ فَاسْأَلُوا عَنْهُنَّ.

“Once, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), was asked about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). He (the Imam) said, ‘Al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) today is not like it was before this day. Women in those days believed in it but today they do not believe in it and you can ask them.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْهَا يَعْنِي الْمُتْعَةَ فَقَالَ لِي حَلَالٌ فَلَا تَتَزَوَّجْ إِلَّا عَفِيفَةً[3] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حافِظُونَ‌[4] فَلَا تَضَعْ فَرْجَكَ حَيْثُ لَا تَأْمَنُ عَلَى دِرْهَمِكَ.

It is lawful but you must not marry except those who possess chastity; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “. . .those who protect their private organs. ”(23: 5) Therefore, do not marry one whom you cannot trust about your dirham.’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَتَزَوَّجُ امْرَأَةً مُتْعَةً وَ يَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهَا أَنْ لَا يَطْلُبَ وَلَدَهَا فَتَأْتِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ بِوَلَدٍ فَشَدَّدَ فِي إِنْكَارِ الْوَلَدِ وَ قَالَ أَ يَجْحَدُهُ إِعْظَاماً لِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ فَإِنِ اتَّهَمَهَا فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَكَ أَنْ تَتَزَوَّجَ إِلَّا مُؤْمِنَةً أَوْ مُسْلِمَةً فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- ا

“A man once asked al-Rida’, Alayhi al-Salam, when I was listening, about the case of a man who married a woman in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) with the condition that he was not to support her child. She thereafter brought a child to him and he strongly denied the child. He (the Imam) said, ‘Does he

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ لَا أَدْرِي مَا حَالُهَا أَ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا الرَّجُلُ مُتْعَةً قَالَ يَتَعَرَّضُ لَهَا فَإِنْ أَجَابَتْهُ إِلَى الْفُجُورِ فَلَا يَفْعَلْ‌[2].

‘He can propose unlawful activities; if she agreed, he then must stay away from her.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَتْ عَارِفَةً قُلْنَا جُعِلْنَا فِدَاكَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ عَارِفَةً قَالَ فَاعْرِضْ عَلَيْهَا وَ قُلْ لَهَا فَإِنْ قَبِلَتْ فَتَزَوَّجْهَا وَ إِنْ أَبَتْ أَنْ تَرْضَى بِقَوْلِكَ فَدَعْهَا وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ الْكَوَاشِفَ وَ الدَّوَاعِيَ وَ الْبَغَايَا وَ ذَوَاتِ الْأَزْوَاجِ قُلْتُ مَا الْكَوَاشِفُ قَالَ اللَّوَاتِي يُكَاشِفْنَ وَ بُيُوتُهُنَّ مَعْ

"Yes, if she is knowledgeable." I said: "May I be sacrificed for you, and if she is not knowledgeable?" He said: "Then present the matter to her and say to her, if she accepts, then marry her; but if she refuses to accept your proposal, then leave her. Beware of the 'kawāshif', the 'dawāʿī', the 'baghayā', and the wome

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع- عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ الْحَسْنَاءِ الْفَاجِرَةِ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَتَمَتَّعَ مِنْهَا يَوْماً أَوْ أَكْثَرَ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَتْ مَشْهُورَةً بِالزِّنَا فَلَا يَتَمَتَّعْ مِنْهَا وَ لَا يَنْكِحْهَا.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a woman who was beautiful but was involved in indecent acts if it was permissible to form al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) with her for a day or more. He (the Imam) said, ’If she is known as a fornicator then al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) is not proper with her

لَا تَكُونُ مُتْعَةٌ إِلَّا بِأَمْرَيْنِ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى وَ أَجْرٍ مُسَمًّى.

‘Al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) cannot take place without two issues: they are the duration of time and the amount of mahr (dower).”’

لَا بُدَّ مِنْ أَنْ تَقُولَ فِي هَذِهِ الشُّرُوطِ أَتَزَوَّجُكِ مُتْعَةً كَذَا وَ كَذَا يَوْماً بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً نِكَاحاً غَيْرَ سِفَاحٍ عَلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّهِ ص وَ عَلَى أَنْ لَا تَرِثِينِي وَ لَا أَرِثَكِ وَ عَلَى أَنْ تَعْتَدِّي خَمْسَةً وَ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ حَيْضَةً.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘It is necessary that in marriage in the manner of al- Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) and its conditions one must say, “I form marriage with you in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) for so and so many days with such and such amount of dirham as mahr (dower), a marriage fre

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ أَقُولُ لَهَا إِذَا خَلَوْتُ بِهَا قَالَ تَقُولُ أَتَزَوَّجُكِ مُتْعَةً عَلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَ سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّهِ ص لَا وَارِثَةً وَ لَا مَوْرُوثَةً كَذَا وَ كَذَا يَوْماً وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً وَ تُسَمِّي مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مَا تَرَاضَيْتُمَا عَلَيْهِ قَلِيلًا كَانَ أَمْ كَثِيراً فَإِذَا قَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَقَدْ رَضِيَتْ فَهِيَ امْرَأَتُكَ وَ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about what I should say when I am with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Say I marry you in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) according to the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family wort

تَقُولُ أَتَزَوَّجُكِ مُتْعَةً عَلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَ سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّهِ ص نِكَاحاً غَيْرَ سِفَاحٍ وَ عَلَى أَنْ لَا تَرِثِينِي وَ لَا أَرِثَكِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا يَوْماً بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً وَ عَلَى أَنَّ عَلَيْكِ الْعِدَّةَ.

say, ‘I marry you in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) according to the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, a marriage which is not indecency and that you will not inherit me and I will not inherit

قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَتَزَوَّجُ الْمُتْعَةَ قَالَ تَقُولُ يَا أَمَةَ اللَّهِ أَتَزَوَّجُكِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا يَوْماً بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً فَإِذَا مَضَتْ تِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ كَانَ طَلَاقُهَا فِي شَرْطِهَا وَ لَا عِدَّةَ لَهَا عَلَيْكَ‌[1].

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about how al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) is formed?’ He (the Imam) said that you must say, ‘O female servant of Allah, I marry you for so and so many days for such and such amount of dirham as mahr (dower).’ When the days pass her divorce is her condition and she does not need wa

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا كَانَ مِنْ شَرْطٍ قَبْلَ النِّكَاحِ هَدَمَهُ النِّكَاحُ وَ مَا كَانَ بَعْدَ النِّكَاحِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ وَ قَالَ إِنْ سُمِّيَ الْأَجَلُ فَهُوَ مُتْعَةٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُسَمَّ الْأَجَلُ فَهُوَ نِكَاحٌ بَاتٌ‌[2].

“Any condition before marriage becomes invalid by marriage and the condition after marriage is permissible.’ He (the Imam) said, ’If time limit is mentioned it is al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) and if time limit is not mentioned it is permanent.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لا جُناحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيما تَراضَيْتُمْ بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الْفَرِيضَةِ[3] فَقَالَ مَا تَرَاضَوْا بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ النِّكَاحِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ وَ مَا كَانَ قَبْلَ النِّكَاحِ فَلَا يَجُوزُ إِلَّا بِرِضَاهَا وَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ يُعْطِيهَا فَتَرْضَى بِهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, 4 . . . it is not harmful for you if you agree upon it after marriage.’ (4:24) He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever they agree upon after marriage is permissible and whatever is before marriage is not permissi

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا اشْتَرَطْتَ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ شُرُوطَ الْمُتْعَةِ فَرَضِيَتْ بِهِ وَ أَوْجَبَتِ التَّزْوِيجَ فَارْدُدْ عَلَيْهَا شَرْطَكَ الْأَوَّلَ بَعْدَ النِّكَاحِ فَإِنْ أَجَازَتْهُ فَقَدْ جَازَ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تُجِزْهُ فَلَا يَجُوزُ عَلَيْهَا مَا كَانَ مِنَ الشَّرْطِ قَبْلَ النِّكَاحِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you settle the conditions of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) with a woman and she agrees and marriage becomes binding, you can bring your prior condition after marriage; if she agrees it is permissible, if she does not agree, it does not apply effectively to her; it was before