What is mut'ah marriage (temporary marriage), and is it allowed in Sunni Islam?

Muta is a temporary marriage contracted for a fixed period of time; it could be hours, days, or months, after which the marriage automatically ends without talaq. In Sunni Islam, muta marriage is completely forbidden. The Prophet ﷺ permitted it briefly in early Islam during times of war but permanently prohibited it before his death. This prohibition is firmly established and freely agreed upon by all four Sunni madhabs. In Shia Islam, muta remains permissible under specific conditions; this is a well-known difference of opinion between the two branches of Islam. Any Sunni Muslim engaging in mut'ah is not in a valid marriage; it is considered zina regardless of how it is framed or justified. The permanent nikah with full rights, responsibilities, and commitment is the only valid form of marriage in Sunni Islam.