Muta marriage and Iddat period.

Muta marriage is a kind of marriage. It means a temporary marriage for a fixed period i.e for a
day, a few days, few weeks or few years. Muta marriage is recognized under shia law. A shia
male can contract a marriage, with a woman. But a shia woman can not contract a muta
marriage with men. The period of marriage is fixed by entering into an agreement between the
parties on payment of some consideration.

Essentials

1) The period of cohabitation should be fixed.

2) The nature of dower has to be fixed. Half of the amount would be payable if the marriage was
not happened. The muta marriage comes to an end after expiry of specified period. There is no
divorce in respect of marriage. Even before expiry of term, the husband may put an end to
marriage by making a gift of remaining term to her and paying full amount of dower. Children

born during muta marriage are legitimate and are entitled to inherit property from both the
parents.

Iddat or Iddat period:

Iddat is a period during which a woman is prohibited from marrying again after dissolution.
Muslim law laid down that one should not marry a woman who is undergoing iddat. During this
period,her husband also can not remarry. After completion of iddat, she can remarry lawfully.
This prohibition is imposed with a view to ascertain the pregnancy of the women so as to avoid
confusion of paternity.

Duration or period of iddat : Different periods of Iddat are provided depending upon the
manner in which the marriage is dissolved as detailed below:

Dissolution by divorce : When a marriage is dissolved by divorce, the woman must perform
iddat of three menstruation courses or three lunar months. If it is found that she is pregnant
then, the period of iddat continues, till she delivers the child. If the marriage has not been
consummated, she need not observe iddat and is free to remarry immediately.

Dissolution by death : When the marriage is dissolved by death of the husband, the wife is to
observe iddat, whether the marriage is consummated or not for a period of four lunar months
and 10 days. If the woman is found pregnant at the time of death of her husband, then the
period of iddat is four lunar months and 10 days or until she delivers the child, whichever period
is longer.

Rights and duties during the period of iddat:

1) The wife has a right to claim maintenance.

2) The husband has a duty to provide maintenance.

3) The wife can not marry during the period of iddat.

4) the husband also can not marry.

5) The wife has a right to claim prompt dower, if it is not paid.

6) She has a right to claim deferred dower which is to be paid immediately.