Difference between a mutta marriage and a permanent marriage

There is a vast difference between a mutta marriage and a permanent marriage. Main points of difference are:

1. Whereas in a regular marriage wife can claim maintenance from her husband, a Singha wife cannot put forth such claim.

2. A Singha wife does not inherit anything from her husband whereas a wife in a permanent marriage inherits property of her husband and children born out of his marriage can inherit the property of their father.

3. Mutta marriage is for a specific period. As soon as that period is over marriage comes to an end and it becomes illegal. On the other hand marriage through Nikah is a permanent marriage. Such a marriage can come to an end only when either a party to the marriage has died or been divorced.

4. Nikah is a common and popular form of marriage, whereas mutta marriage} is only uncommon and unpopular form of marriage.

5. Nikah marriage is acceptable and | respected both by Shias and Sunnis of the Muslim community. But mutta marriage is recognized only by the Shias and not by Sunnis.

6. Since mutta marriage is only for a specific period, therefore, there is no question of divorce in it. It comes to an end after the expiry of the specified period. On the other hand there is specific i provision for divorce in the marriage through Nikah.

7. In Nikah woman is authorised to I get full dower whereas in a mutta I marriage woman in authorised only for a specified dower.

In mutta marriage as mentioned earlier period as well as mehr is decided in advance. In it partial mehr is authorised whereas in Nikah marriage full mehr is authorised. It is therefore, essential to explain the term mehr. A Muslim woman has a right to get dower from her husband.

It can be both in the form of cash or kind and is an indication of respect of the wife in the eyes of her husband. It is paid to the wife for the surrender of her person to her husband. It is not bride price. It may be mentioned that no amount of dower has been fixed and it depends on social status of contracting parties.

This amount is considerably higher when woman is virgin and not divorced. When the amount of dower should be paid depends on customs, but it is always associated with consumption of marriage.

Kinds of dower

Dower can be of four kinds. It can be specified or definite dower. In such cases amount is settled well in advance and prior to marriage and both the parties to the marriage agree to it. If the amount is not paid immediately, it can be claimed by the wife at any time. When the amount of dower is not fixed in advance it is called unspecified dower.

Usually, while settling the amount at some subsequent date, the amount paid to a female member in the family is taken as the basis. When the amount is neither specified nor unspecified it is called deferred dower.

Such amount is paid when the marriage has terminated. If a wife does not get dower throughout her life, amount can be claimed by her heirs as well. When some money is paid to the wife by her j husband soon after her marriage, it is called Muwojjal Mehr.