Muta marriage can last as little as an hour

In a Muta marriage, the already wedded man and the other woman agree to be together for only a brief time, sometimes as little as an hour and usually for sex. By agreeing to a temporary marriage, neither person commits a sin.

It's not unusual in Islam for Shiite men to have up to four wives, or to participate in a temporary marriage, says Mount Royal College sociologist Dr. Mahfooz Kanwar.

"Shiite Muslims, they can justify marrying a woman for a night, an hour, etc.," said Kanwar.

"When you question it, they can use religion because then people don't get mad."

After discussing the terms and conditions of a Muta marriage, the couple can see each other as much or as little as possible.

The Muslim holy book, the Qur'an, allows men to have more than one wife as long as they are treated equally.

Therefore, said Kanwar, it's unlikely men outside of royalty would be able to afford to keep several women.

Polygamy is reserved for "only those who have the means," he said.

A Muta marriage is not recognized under Canadian law.