RE: What is a Nikaah?
Is this usually easily agreed or does it become an issue of contention between the bride and groom's families?
This is usually decided beforehand. There's no minimum or maximum amount of mehr (money), but according to some scholars, the minimum amount should be at least worth 31 grams of silver. However, in my entire life, I haven't found a single guy who paid the minimum amount; in fact, guys like to pay as much as they can afford.
For example, my brother recently got married, and his mehr was around $800. My friend got married last month and decided to pay $2000 as mehr to his wife. It all depends on how much the guy can afford. There's no contention between the two families; at least, I haven't seen or heard of any in my life.
There are two types of Mehr
Immediate
deferred
All depends upon what the husband and wife have agreed upon. If they've agreed upon the immediate than the husband has to pay the amount to wife before consummation. That money now completely belongs to the wife and the husband will have no say in it.
There are a lot financial rulings in Islam strictly mntioned in our Holy book, the Quran, for the financial security of a woman for example, after marriage, his money is also her money but her money is her's only
Hope you got the answer, if there are any more questions, I'll be glad to answer. Would you also be interested in knowing about the post Nikaah events?
This is interesting too...
Is this the same for the earnings a Muslim woman might make on Steem?
Yes, 100%. She has a choice whether she wants to share it with her man whereas the guy has an obligation to spend it on her woman.