67/32. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5116 — Ibn Abbas on Mut'ah in Hard Need
Allah's Messenger (saws) prohibited Nikah-al-Mut'a lately.
Hadith About Mut'ah and Hard Need: Ibn Abbas’s Answer
Sahih Bukhari : 5116
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5116
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي جَمْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، سُئِلَ عَنْ مُتْعَةِ النِّسَاءِ، فَرَخَّصَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلًى لَهُ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ فِي الْحَالِ الشَّدِيدِ وَفِي النِّسَاءِ قِلَّةٌ أَوْ نَحْوَهُ. فَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ نَعَمْ.
Abu Jamra Narrated from:
I heard Ibn `Abbas (giving a verdict) when he was asked about the Mut'a with the women, and he permitted it (Nikah-al-Mut'a). On that a freed slave of his said to him, "That is only when it is very badly needed and women are scarce." On that, Ibn `Abbas said, "Yes."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5116In-book reference : Book 67, Hadith 53USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 51
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5116
This hadith about Mut'ah and hard need reports that Abu Jamra heard Ibn Abbas being asked about Mut'ah with women. Ibn Abbas allowed it. Then a freed slave of his clarified that this was only in a very difficult condition and when women were scarce, or something close to that wording. Ibn Abbas answered, “Yes.” The narration is important because it does not present the permission as open and unqualified in the wording given here. It connects the answer to a condition of strong need and scarcity, as stated by the freed slave and accepted by Ibn Abbas. For searches about Ibn Abbas Mut'ah hadith or temporary marriage need, the careful reading is to include that limiting statement.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ibn Abbas was asked about Mut'ah and gave a permissive answer in this report.
- His freed slave limited the matter to severe need and scarcity.
- Ibn Abbas agreed with that limiting statement.
- The narration should not be quoted without the condition mentioned in the text.
