A Saudi newlywed took social media by storm after she shared her marriage contract online. The document features binding conditions including one that prohibits her husband from taking a second wife. The bride, Fouz Al Otaibi, tweeted out images of the contract earlier this week, captioning her post:
"Congratulate me, my marriage contract was signed today, the 27th of May, to a man who always promised me that he wouldn't rest until he crowned our love story with marriage. Despite all the troubles we faced, we clung to each other more and deserve this happy ending. I am proud of you my life partner, Ahmed Moussa."
Her tweet - which has since been deleted - quickly went viral online and sparked quite the controversy with many debating the contract's conditions.
In Islam, women have the right to include conditions in their marriage contracts before signing them. Similar to Al Otaibi's contract, they can ask for specific amounts of money in case of divorce and list conditions for separation.
They can also write down personal requests or agreements, including ones prohibiting polygamy - which is permissible for Muslim men but only under a >tight set of conditions.
The fact that the tweep posted her list of conditions and marriage contract online subjected her to an attack that eventually led her to delete her tweet.
Those criticizing her for the move couldn't believe an Arab man agreed to such conditions. Others accused the woman of being a gold-digger because she asked for a specific amount of money and demanded her husband pay a salary for a domestic worker to help around the house.
However, they were quickly and epically shut down by people who were all for Al Otaibi's decision, labeling it inspiring and brave.
Some men responded with the most misogynistic statements
"Spinsters go around every house during the day looking for husbands and go party at night. A man who marries after agreeing to any condition is stupid."
Statements that are simply outrageous
"When I saw these marriage conditions I thought this woman is an inventor or a university professor or has a charity but in the end she turned out to be a feminist who was won over by money. It's a waste to pay 10,000 riyals for her and even her looks don't help much."
The backlash was insensitive
"Was she serious when she wrote out these conditions? I swear there are no more men. Sharia stated that a man can marry four women and he can find a hundred instead of this one."
Many were there to hit back at the criticism
"It's her right to ask for whatever she wants and it's his right to accept or not."
"Good on her, she guaranteed her rights and future"
"If I get married, my conditions will be the same."
"This is what true love is all about"
As the backlash continued, Al Otaibi posted a follow-up tweet
In her post, Al Otaibi responded to those criticizing her and ridiculing her husband for accepting her conditions.
She also hit back at those questioning Moussa's decision to marry her and others who sent him old tweets she'd posted online.
"To all those looking through my old tweets, Ahmed met me on Twitter and has been following me for two years on all social media platforms. He gets notifications for my posts and knows every single detail about me, so relax, and wish us well. I don't know how you're trying to break up two people who just got married and are excited while preparing for their wedding," she wrote.