How can the two verses: "And give women their dowries with a good heart; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it with happiness and ease" and "So for the enjoyment you have had from them, give them their prescribed due" be reconciled? And is the dowry a gift without consideration or a wage for enjoyment?

It is permissible to call the mahr (dowry) a "compulsory gift" because it is a bestowal from Allah upon the woman. It was legislated to demonstrate the significance of the marriage contract, the dignity of the woman, and to honor her. It is also called an " ajr" (wage/remuneration) because it is in exchange for enjoyment. It has been said that calling it an ajr emphasizes its payment if delayed. The mahr indicates the husband's sincere desire for marriage, and its obligation does not humiliate the wife. Thus, it contributes to achieving the objectives of marriage, namely affection and harmony. This refutes the error of those who denied that the mahr is in exchange for enjoyment.