mahr
mahr, n. Islamic law. A gift of money or property that must be made by a man to the woman he marries. • The parties agree to the mahr’s amount and time of payment before marrying. If the time of payment is indefinite or if the mahr’s outstanding balance is not paid sooner, the agreed amount or outstanding balance becomes due on divorce or the husband’s death. Despite the religious basis for a mahr, secular courts may uphold the agreement if its secular terms are enforceable as a prenuptial contract. — Also termed sadaq.
