On the other hand most religious leaders do not believe that the new law is
in conformity with Islam, since in matters of marriage it is always the man
who has to decide. Notwithstanding this, the law would still be problematic,
since in a conservative society it carries a strong social stigma bearing in
opposite directions: the attitude of a woman who leaves her husband is gen-
erally disapproved of, and at the same time it is absolutely degrading for a
man to be left by his wife. Most probably he will retaliate and in the end the
whole family, including the children, will suffer. The new law also allows for
a premarital agreement known as ‘isma, regulating procedure in the case of
divorce. It is laid down in a marriage contract between the two parties. Many
men still refuse to accept such a clause in the marriage contract, considering
it a great humiliation for them to renounce their rights.