The economy of nikah and mahar in the Muslim Australian context
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In the text, Samia describes the economy of marriage and nikāh (Islamic marriage contract) in the Muslim Australian context by examining the transactional nature of mahar (a mandatory gift from the groom to the bride). She explains how this system is historically rooted in male dominance, where women’s economic and social security is tied to their marital status and the mahar they receive. This system enforces a power imbalance, as the mahar, intended as a form of protection, often becomes a tool for controlling and commodifying women.
Samia counters this by highlighting the need for reinterpreting Islamic practices in contemporary contexts that prioritize equity and consent over tradition. She suggests that while mahar should be a symbol of respect and support, it has been manipulated into a form of ownership and control over women. By challenging these norms, Samia advocates for a reinterpretation that aligns with the principles of justice and fairness inherent in Islam, emphasizing autonomy and equality for Muslim women. She argues for a cultural shift where marriage is no longer a transaction but a partnership built on mutual respect, and mahar is no longer a tool for control but a means to empower women.
For example, Samia critiques the way mahar has been traditionally viewed, explaining that “it is not merely a financial transaction but often becomes a means to regulate a woman's behavior within marriage” (Mohabir p. 28). She proposes that “reimagining mahar as a gift of empowerment rather than a form of control could redefine marriage in Muslim Australian communities” (Mohabir p. 32). This shift would reflect an understanding of marriage that transcends transactional norms and fosters genuine equality and partnership.