An interesting essay, Nikki.
Towards the middle of the page, there is another essay from a temporary marriage enthusiast.
The motive, of course, is to legally (and religiously) have sex. A lot of work, it seems to me. While “the dowry” might be a single coin. The writer calls prostitution a “dirty habit”. All of these ritualistic behaviors around temporary marriage are, obviously, intended to sanitize (or sanctify) the sexual act.
What better solution could there be (than temporary marriage) ? Properly practised. this institution is a powerful antidote and preventative of ills like prostitution and other social ailments. It blocks the way to women’s selling themselves, raises the general tone of public morality, and gives needed assistance to women who, through no fault of their own, either by the death of their husband or some other disaster, have fallen on bad times…Temporary marriage preserves the aspect of purity and saves people from sin.
So many human machinations (of all religious strains) seem to be about being “saved from sin”.
I’m reminded of Islam’s absolute obsession with sex, not to mention every aspect of a human body’s fluids & functioning. If you’re worried about a personal…emission…you can always consult a mullah for a ruling or fatwa. Co-dependency, writ large.
I also recall that (some) teenagers in Saudi Arabia (as young as 13) were attracted to joining jihad in Iraq by the prospect of getting blown to smithereens and (finally) getting to see a whole un-burkahed woman in heaven, someone besides a mother or a sister.
