Of course, according to the Sunnah, Muhammad though introducing nikah mut'ah is also said to have forbidden it. This prohibition is not recognised by Shias who I believe see that hadith as forbidding a person who stayed in the mut'ah on a permanent basis and only ended it when Muhammad forbade him to.
Nikah mut'ah was really a way of legalising prostitution so that the sex act will occur within a so-called sanctified relationship.
Hence technically speaking I'd say prostitution as we know it would be illegal in Islam.
However the promises of beautiful houris in paradise who remain eternal virgins nor do they age and available in vast quantities does lend some incentive for men to try and create that paradise here on earth. The rational for some might be if its ok for heaven where Allah resides, why not here?
The following ahadith explains how open prostition will take place in Jannah:
Al hadiths, Vol. 4, Page-172, No.34: The Apostle of Allah said, ?There is in paradise an open market wherein there will be no buying or selling, but will consist of men and women. When a man desires a beauty, at once he will have intercourse with them as desired.
Tirmizi, volume two (p 35-40): .... A houri is a girl of tender age, having large breasts which are round (pointed), and not inclined to dangle. Houris dwell in palaces of splendid surroundings. The Prophet was asked :'Do we have sex in Paradise?' He answered: 'Yes, by him who holds my soul in his hand, and it will be done dahman, dahman (with vigour). And when it is finished she will return pure and virgin again.
The ridiculous promises of sex for men in Jannah, which when taken in their correct context were basically carrots dangling on a stick in front a Muslim to get him to go out and kill or get killed for Muhammad's dream of conquering Arabia was one of the main reason I started doubting Islam as a religion.
That is not what I am after.
Ignore the junk ahaadith. Does the Qur'aan allow prostitutiont? That is what I am asking the ex-Muslims here and Ella gave the best answer so far.
If you were a Muslim before, did you ever believe that Islam allowed prostitution? Were you taught anything of that sort?
Cheers
BMZ