Misyar Marriage: Islamic Customs, Debates, and Moral Dilemma

Misyar marriage, a form of marital arrangement permitted under specific interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence, allows spouses to forgo certain traditional rights and obligations, including cohabitation and financial maintenance. While recognized in several Sunni-majority societies, this practice has incited extensive theological, social, and ethical debate within contemporary Islamic society. This study critically investigates the Misyar marriage by analyzing its legal foundations, regional variations, and contested interpretations through the lens of Islamic law and socio-cultural norms. Employing a qualitative research framework, it synthesizes insights from scholarly written sources and interview-based narratives to evaluate the broader implications of Misyar on women’s rights, family structures, and moral theology. The paper argues that although Misyar marriage provides legal flexibility for particular social groups, it often operates within patriarchal parameters that undermine its ethical legitimacy. The findings emphasize the need for a more contextually sensitive and ethically grounded approach to Islamic marital jurisprudence that reconciles religious principles with evolving social and legal realities.