01-01-2008, 11:59 PM
Wasalam,
Muta for the purpose of engagement without sexual contact. Ive never done these things myself so I dont know exactly how it works. But I think at the time of the pronouncement certain conditions can be set such as the wife or husband can stipulate that there will be no sexual contact. This is common in some Shia' communities where the wife and husband are allowed a familiarisation period where they can see each other more without any sexual contact.