Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

[xix] Muslim marriage is essentially a civil contract. The partners should be of equal social status, and the bride receives a dowry. Child betrothal is possible, but minimum marriage ages have now been laid down in many Islamic countries by the secular law (e.g. 18 for the bridegroom and 16 for the bride in the Egyptian code of 1931). However, marriage between minors remains valid in the eyes of the Shari'a. Polygamy retains its Qur'anic sanction, but is becoming exceptional and is discouraged by secular law codes. Unilateral divorce by the husband likewise remains valid according to the Shari'a; modern law has tried to mitigate this, but the woman is still comparatively disadvantaged. (see Mar'a.) [38 ‘Nikäh’; 48: 127–36; 67 s.vv.; 77: iii, vi; 117: xxii] ... log in or subscribe to read full text