Quote:
{4:4} And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.
صدقاتهن does not mean gifts at all because gifts are voluntary while this command implies something that is mandatory. It comes from the same root of
صدقة which is commonly translated as charity or donation, but in fact the root verb is
صدق meaning "has told the truth!" Charity is called
صدقة because it is a
confirmation of faith. You prove that you told the truth about believing in God when you freely give from your hard-earned money to the needy. With that understanding, I'd translate
صدقاتهن as "their dues (dowry)."