Mut'ah (consolatory gift)
متعة الطلاق
Pronunciation: MUT-ah
A consolatory gift a husband gives a divorced wife in Islam, distinct from temporary marriage.
Definition
In the context of divorce, mut'ah (mut'at al-talaq) is a consolatory or parting gift a husband gives his divorced wife, referenced in the Quran (2:236, 2:241: "And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous"). Its purpose is to ease the financial and emotional impact of divorce, especially where a marriage ends before consummation or before a mahr was fixed.
This should not be confused with the separate, contested concept of mut'ah (temporary marriage), which the Sunni schools regard as prohibited. As a divorce provision, the consolatory mut'ah can be documented alongside mahr and iddah maintenance in an Islamic prenup.
Related Terms
Mahrمهر
The obligatory bridal gift in Islamic marriage — a financial right of the wife, due from the husband.
Iddahعدة
The post-divorce (or post-widowhood) waiting period during which the wife is entitled to maintenance.
Talaqطلاق
Husband-initiated divorce in Islamic law.
Nikahنكاح
The Islamic marriage contract — verbal or written, requiring offer, acceptance, and witnesses.
Further Reading
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Mut'ah (consolatory gift) (متعة الطلاق) — A consolatory gift a husband gives a divorced wife in Islam, distinct from temporary marriage. In the context of divorce, mut'ah (mut'at al-talaq) is a consolatory or parting gift a husband gives his divorced wife, referenced in the Quran (2:236, 2:241: "And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous"). Its purpose is to ease the financial and emotional impact of divorce, especially where a marriage ends before consummation or before a mahr was fixed.
- A consolatory gift a husband gives a divorced wife in Islam, distinct from temporary marriage.
- Category: Contracts
- Related: Mahr, Iddah, Talaq, Nikah
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-01
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