“Temporary Marriage” by Farag Foda
Farag Foda’s Temporary Marriage is one of the Egyptian thinker’s most provocative works, tackling a highly controversial issue in Islamic jurisprudence: zawaj al-mut‘a (temporary marriage, contracted for a fixed period of time).
The book explores the divergent perspectives on this practice, focusing in particular on the centuries-old debate between Sunni and Shia schools of thought regarding its legitimacy.
Key Themes
The Author’s Position
Foda begins by making his stance clear: he is neither an advocate nor a supporter of temporary marriage, and he would not accept it for Muslim women in his own community.He frames himself simply as a Muslim striving to understand religion without rigidity, emphasizing that his main objective is to present the different legal opinions with honesty and without bias.
Historical and Juridical Analysis
The book traces the origins of temporary marriage in Islamic history, grounding the discussion in Qur’anic verses and prophetic traditions, while unpacking the divergent interpretations across sects.For example, Foda notes that certain Shia schools permit it, whereas Sunni schools generally forbid it—an opposition he analyzes through historical, political, and theological lenses.
Social and Religious Critique
Foda criticizes the instrumentalization of religion to justify practices he views as exploitative of women and contradictory to the principles of social justice.He also takes aim at those who dismiss rational debate on the subject, arguing that such refusal only deepens sectarian divides rather than resolving them.
Dialogue with Religious Scholars
The book features Foda’s exchanges with both Sunni Azhar scholars and Shia clerics, where he exposes contradictions in their reasoning.He provocatively highlights, for instance, that the prohibition of temporary marriage under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab was more a political decision than a religious one—an observation that reopens the debate on its legitimacy.
A Broader Message
Beyond the specific issue of temporary marriage, the book speaks to a larger concern: the stagnation in contemporary approaches to religious texts.Foda calls for renewed ijtihad (independent reasoning) that acknowledges shifting social and moral contexts. This aligns with his broader intellectual project, which champions secularism, rational inquiry, and the separation of religion from state affairs.
Historical Context of the Author
Farag Foda (1945–1992) was a secular Egyptian intellectual whose writings ignited fierce debates over Islam and politics.His outspoken criticism of Islamist movements ultimately led to his assassination in 1992 by extremists—an event that underscores the explosive nature of debates like the one over temporary marriage.
Reception
The book provoked outrage among conservative religious circles, with Foda accused of heresy and apostasy. Yet it also won admiration from secular intellectuals, who praised it as a bold attempt to break the taboos surrounding Islamic jurisprudence.Conclusion
Temporary Marriage is not a defense of the practice itself, but rather a call to re-examine religious tradition through a critical and rational lens.
Foda insists that Islamic jurisprudence must evolve with the times while preserving the ethical essence of the faith. The book thus reflects his vision of Islam as a religion capable of renewal without losing its moral core.
For the original summary in Arabic
0 تعليقات