In Islamic law (Sharīʿa), marriage is a civil contractual relationship legalizing intercourse. A woman and a man are united by their agreement to a marriage contract that states the names and lineages of the bride and groom, the amount of mahr (the bridal gift that the groom pays to the bride), and the names of two male witnesses to the couple's consent. In return for his wife's obedience, which primarily consists of her duty to submit to conjugal life with him, the husband is obligated to provide the mahr, a marital home independent from their parents' homes, and material maintenance (nafaqa)…