Cairo – Temporary Marriage — easily in the top most controversial Islamic topics—is a real touchy subject because not only is it unusual, it has also been distorted and misused throughout the years. In the Muslim world, the concept is more well-known in the Shia sect, as they believe it is lawful and allowed. However, when the concept is introduced to Sunni Islam, we rarely find any concurrence. In his weekly-televised interview, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb said that Al-Azhar rejects all bizarre fatwas that states that Islam allows marriage for a temporary period, that is, the so-called temporary marriage or nikah mut'ah in Shia Islam. Al-Tayeb called on those who promote such odd fatwas (i.e. religious edicts) regarding this kind of marriage to stop further distorting the religion of Islam and fear God –Almighty-as this practice is antithesis to the sound Islamic and divine teachings that passed down from generation to generation down the centuries. He also called the practice as demeaning to Muslim women as saying, "This type of invalid marriage makes the woman seems as if she is sex object or slave – perish the thought."
