An important piece is left out in the article: the Islamic practice of mahr, where the groom has to fork over money to get the bride. In theory, the money is the property of the bride. In practice, the bride's family often holds onto it. If the marriage doesn't happen, the mahr needs to be refunded.
So then, the Mahr is Islam’s version of the Dowry.
Only one step removed from the outright “selling” of your daughter to the highest bidder, similar to selling livestock or slaves.