The Master al-Sadiq was asked about Mut’a [temporary marriage], and he said: Allah and His Messenger made it lawful. They said: Would you be pleased for your daughter to practice Mut’a? He said: No. Indeed, Mut’a was not created for the likes of us.

Therefore, Mut’a in this outward sense was created for the Short-comers [Muqassira] who do not possess [control] their souls that incite to evil. It has many conditions placed to preserve the rights of the man, the woman, and the child born from Mut’a; whoever violates a single one of its conditions is judged as an adulterer. Marriage to four was made lawful to preserve the protection of the believer so that he does not fall into prohibitions—may Allah protect us and the believers. This is supported by the saying of the Exalted: {O Prophet, say to your wives: If you should desire the worldly life and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you [umatti’kunna] and give you a gracious release. But if you should desire Allah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter, then indeed, Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a great reward} (Al-Ahzab 28-29).

In general, I say: In the Quran, there is the Decisive [Muhkam] and the Allegorical [Mutashabih], such as His saying (Glorified be He): {Indeed, you are dead, and indeed, they are dead} (Az-Zumar 30).

And His saying: {Say: I am only a man like you, to whom it has been revealed...} (Al-Kahf 110).