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:
- Obligation: Mahr is obligatory with the contract — "give the women their dowries" is a command to the husband, not the guardian.
- "Nihlatan" (as a gift): A free, willing grant — not in exchange for work or service.
- Minimum: Majority: no specified minimum — valid for anything of value. Maliki: value of theft threshold.
- Deferred mahr: Permitted if specified — due at divorce or death.
- 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.
Question: What does "nihlatan" (as a gift) mean in the mahr verse? What is the ruling on deferred mahr?
Answer: "Nihlatan" means a free willing gift, not payment for service. Deferred mahr is permitted if specified and becomes due at divorce or death.