The parties can make conditions...

The parties can make conditions, such as no sexual intercourse or other conditions - these too must be made before the contract is read. However, if later on, both parties agree to change any of the conditions made, they are free to do so.

The contract should be recited in the original Arabic and if this is not possible, then a representative should perform the Mutah and if this too is not possible then the third option is that the boy and girl can read the translation of the contract themselves in the language which would convey the same meaning of the Arabic[^1]. If the couple decides to get married permanently before the time period of the Mutah ends, the husband must "give back" or forgive the time to his wife that remains.

Once this has been done, then and only then can they marry in permanent marriage. If the couple is in a temporary marriage and they then marry permanently while the temporary marriage has not ended, then the permanent marriage will be null and void, and at the completion of the time period of the temporary marriage, they will not be classified as being married to one another.

The Istikhara in Relation to the Boy or Girl One of the other incorrect philosophies that a majority of people have adhered to is the Istikhara or seeking the best from Allah (SwT) before a marriage. Before the boy and girl even get a chance to meet one another and talk and see if they are compatible with the other, the parents will rush to their local Mawlana or Alim to perform the traditional Istikhara.

If the answer comes 'good', then even if the boy or girl is the biggest sinner or ill-mannered person, the parents will welcome him/her into the family with open arms. The opposite has also been seen that if the boy or girl is an upright, virtuous, and pious believer, but the Istikhara comes out 'bad' then they are automatically rejected with no chance to go forward.

This idea, which is so prevalent amongst the Muslim community, must be uprooted and thrown out with all other such traditional and cultural practices that have no basis in Islam. The Istikhara is a method that has been taught and approved by our Prophet (S) and Ahlul Bait (as), however, there are many preconditions and steps that nust be followed before we rush to the Quran or Tasbih.

These stages, in relation to marriage include: • Speaking to the boy or girl and getting to know their thoughts, ideas and beliefs. • Asking friends and family members about the boy or girl.