Islamic Law in Swedish Courts: Cultural Translation of Law in Judgments on Mahr (2004–2023)

Mahr , commonly interpreted as the obligatory gift from the husband to the wife upon a Muslim marriage, has been the subject of many judgments in the Swedish courts. Most of these cases concern marriages contracted in Iran, where mahr can reach substantial sums payable upon divorce. Using a theoretical perspective grounded in the cultural translation of law, I examine fifteen judgments from all levels of the Swedish court system, between 2004 and 2023. By analysing how Swedish courts interpret the concept of mahr , I argue that the courts have contributed to a decontextualization and homogenization of this diverse body of practices. In some court cases, this interpretation of the practice of mahr has been considered incompatible with secularism and gender equality, leading the courts to gradually reject the validity of the practice.