Progressive or Demeaning?

Seigheh is a temporary contract between a man and a woman that allows sexual interaction and sets the conditions, including the duration of the contract (which could be as short as few minutes or as long as many years) and financial obligations of the parties. This controversial practice dates back to beginning of the Islam but lost its popularity in modern Iran until the Islamic revolution of 1979 when it became legal. Since then, it has become common for interaction with the opposite sex for reasons ranging from preventing government harassment to gaining protection and financial support for poor or divorcee women. Today, prostitution is also practiced legally in the name of Seigheh.

In spite of its legal status and wide practice, Seigheh remains a socially undesirable, even deplorable practice that is not openly admitted. The temporary nature and notion of financial obligation, troubles many who call Seigheh a form of legal prostitution that jeopardizes the institution of marriage and family, and undermines women's dignity.

Supporters of Seigheh argue that it is a practical solution to a social need under the framework of Islamic laws. It is a progressive measure that rather than demeaning women, acknowledges female sexual desire and facilitates that, something that the West has come to accept only in the last few decades. Similarly, it is pointed out that free sexual relations in the West have coexisted for decades with the constitution of marriage without underminning it. The financial obligations many find troubling is also regarded as protection for women and compared to notion of the prenuptial agreements that are becoming increasingly popular in the West. Finally, it is argued that Seigheh, is an indicator of how progressive and equipped Islam is in dealing with social ills and needs that other religions and societies often deny or ignore.

(prenuptual agreement)