Mahr (bridal gift)

The mahr is the woman's sadaq — what the husband gives his wife by the marriage contract; the Shafi'is define it as what becomes due by marriage, intercourse, or the deliberate loss of the marital right. It has nine names: mahr, sadaq, sadaqa, nihla, farida, ajr, 'ala'iq, 'uqr and haba'. ³

They share being due to the wife, but maintenance is due as compensation for her being kept, while the mahr is due in honour of the union. ³

The mahr is obligatory in every marriage — "lawful to you beyond that is that you seek with your wealth" ties the licit union to giving wealth; and no marriage in the abode of Islam is free of mahr. ^{3 4}