and four by marriage affinity: the wife’s mother, the step-daughter provided he has consummated the marriage with her mother, the father’s wife, and the son’s wife. One woman is forbidden because of simultaneous union, namely the wife’s sister. Nor may a man combine a woman with her paternal aunt or with her maternal aunt. Whatever is unlawful through nursing is likewise unlawful through lineage.

A woman may be returned—meaning the marriage may be annulled—on account of five defects: insanity, leprosy, vitiligo, ratq (an imperforate vaginal canal), and qarn (a bony or fleshy obstruction). A man may likewise be returned for five defects: insanity, leprosy, vitiligo, jabb (castration), and ʿinnah (impotence).

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Naming the mahr (bridal gift) in the marriage contract is recommended, but if it is omitted the contract remains valid and the mahr becomes obligatory in one of three ways: the husband himself fixes it, the judge fixes it, or consummation takes place, in which case the customary dower (mahr al-mithl) is due. There is no legal minimum or maximum for the dower. It is permissible to marry her in return for a specific, known benefit, and if divorce occurs before consummation, half of the dower lapses.

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A walīmah (wedding feast) for the marriage is recommended, and accepting the invitation is obligatory unless one has a valid excuse.

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Equitable division of nights among wives is obligatory. He must not enter the house of the wife whose turn it is not, unless a need requires it. When he wishes to travel he draws lots among them and travels with the one whose name is drawn. If he marries a new wife, he allocates seven nights for her if she is a virgin and three nights if she has been previously married. Should he fear nushūz (willful defiance) from a wife, he first admonishes her; if she persists, he abandons her bed; if she remains defiant, he continues the abandonment and may strike her. Because of nushūz her right to her turn and to maintenance is forfeited.