Part-time marriage is a recent phenomenon that has risen to the surface in Egyptian society due to many social, economic, and psychological factors. It is an unspoken issue that has been increasing in silence. 

The term “part-time marriage” or “experimental marriage” is not formally used or included in any official documentation. It is used among young people in Egypt to refer to a type of marriage in which the two partners agree not to be fully present in each other’s lives or not to be fully responsible as in the case of normal marriages. However, some consider polygyny as a kind of part-time marriage as well, based on the agreement between the two parties. 

According to Al Arabiya, the “Experimental Marriage” initiative launched by Egyptian lawyer Ahmed Mahran sparked widespread controversy in Egypt in 2021, between supporters and opponents of the idea. The initiative was encouraged by many young people because it was based on flexible conditions. However, some attacked this initiative and stressed its prohibition. The initiative aims to reduce divorce rates due to the significant increase in divorce, which makes young people become afraid of marriage because it may lead to divorce. 

The Al-Azhar Fatwa Global Center said in a statement on Facebook that marriage is a serious covenant that may not be tampered with, and the requirement that no separation occur between spouses for a period of five years or less or more in the so-called experimental marriage is an invalid condition, as this contradicts the pillars of the marriage system in Islam and clashes with its provisions and purposes, CNN reported. 

Some people said that part-time marriage facilitates the process of marriage and encourages more people to take this step because it does not require huge financial commitments. Moreover, it may help those with fear of commitment to gradually make a change in their lives. Although it is socially considered a stigma, many people are willing to go through this experience, especially those who were previously married. 

Jusoor Post talked with a number of young Egyptian women, some of whom totally reject the idea, some who are willing to try it, and some who have actually experienced it for a while. 

A second wife in her mid-30s told Jusoor Post about her experience when she got married to her recent husband after getting a divorce from her first husband:

I have two daughters from my first marriage and a daughter from my second one. My husband spends two days per week with me, which is very convenient for me because I am busy taking care of my children during the week. Moreover, I can spend quality time with my daughters. 

Being a second wife has pros and cons. It gives the partners a chance to miss each other. However, sometimes I need him to share certain moments and occasions with me. 

A young lady, who asked us not to mention her name, told Jusoor Post about her part-time marriage:

Honestly, it really worked very well for me. I was in another city with my kids (from a previous marriage). The only hassle was that I had to go back and forth between cities.

On the personal relationship with my husband, it was great; we were both very sweet and considerate to each other because our time was limited. 

Eventually the circumstances changed, and we settled in one city. Part time was kind of sparky while it lasted but exhausting. Now, things are more stable. We are more involved in each other’s days, but it’s more like routine life. 

We got much closer as partners, but the excitement and passion of missing each other and not being together fully changed. 

Another young woman happily told Jusoor Post about her experience:

I did this by accident. We both live in England. I was working in a city and he was working in another one.

He had a place and I had a place, and he would mostly come over three or four days a week.

I wasn't really happy about it. We had just gotten married, and I didn't know anyone else in the city I lived in.

We did it for about seven months, but then I got a job near him, as it was easier for me to switch jobs, and we both live together now.

So, I've tried both.

But generally living together is better. Just delay having children for a couple years at least, because there's a lot to get used to. We had been engaged for a long time though.

In hindsight, it was nice to have a gradual transition to married life, because before I had only ever lived with my parents and then lived alone for a year for work reasons. So, I had some time to myself and then it was gradual getting used to living with someone again.

From another point of view, one daughter narrated her mother’s part-time marriage story to Jusoor Post: 

My mom was partially married to a man for thirteen years. They used to meet once or twice a week, talk every day, and travel together. My mother was very happy. However, they got divorced because he became depressed due to bankruptcy. 

When I was a kid, I loved him so much. I have never been negatively influenced by this experience.