Intermediate Dowry Surah: An-Nisa (4)

Verse: "And give the women their dowries as a gift. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease." (4:4)

Definition: The wealth paid by the husband to the wife upon the marriage contract — her exclusive right, not her guardian's.

Core rulings of mahr:

1. Obligation: Mahr is obligatory with the contract — "give the women their dowries" is a command to the husband, not the guardian.
2. "Nihlatan" (as a gift): A free, willing grant — not in exchange for work or service.
3. Minimum: Majority: no specified minimum — valid for anything of value. Maliki: value of theft threshold.
4. Deferred mahr: Permitted if specified — due at divorce or death.
5. Mahr al-mithl: If no mahr is named in the contract, the equivalent of what similar women receive is due.

"If they give up willingly": The wife may voluntarily waive part of her mahr — but the waiver must be free and uncoerced.

Source: Al-Qurtubi (5/21); Ibn Al-Arabi (1/312); Al-Mughni (7/197); Al-Jassas (2/55)

Tags: المهرالنساءالصداقعقد الزواجحقوق المرأة