Darimi

(Commentary on Hadith 2235)

It is stated in Sahih Muslim: These were five hundred dirhams, which was the dowry (mahr) of the wives of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

From this hadith, the amount of the dowry of the pure wives (azwaj-e-mutahharat) is known, which used to be five hundred dirhams. The dowry (mahr) is the right of the woman. Allah Ta’ala says: « ﴿وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً﴾ [النساء : 4]» meaning, “And give the women their dowries as a gift.”

As for how much the dowry should be, the Wise Lawgiver (Shari‘) has not set any specific limit. Nowhere in the Noble Qur’an or the blessed ahadith is it stated that the dowry must be a certain amount. However, it is certainly mentioned that there should be no exaggeration in the dowry, and it should not be so much that the husband is unable to pay it.

In one hadith it is stated: «خَيْرُ الصَّدَاقَ أَيْسُرُهُ.» meaning, “The best dowry is that which is easiest and simplest to pay.” [أبوداؤد وصححه الحاكم].

Once, the Commander of the Faithful, Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu, said in a sermon that the dowry should not exceed four hundred dirhams. As soon as he descended from the pulpit, a woman said, “O Umar! Allah Ta’ala says: «﴿وَآتَيْتُمْ إِحْدَاهُنَّ قِنْطَارًا﴾ [النساء : 20]» ‘And you have given one of them a great amount (of dowry).’”

Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu said, “O Allah! Forgive me,” and he returned to the pulpit and said, “O people! I had forbidden giving more than four hundred dirhams as dowry, but now, whoever wishes may give as much of his wealth as he wants to a woman as dowry.” [رواه سعيد بن منصور فى السنن و أبويعلى بسند جيد].

Although the dowry of the wives of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was five hundred dirhams, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also contracted marriages in exchange for freedom, an iron ring, or teaching the Qur’an, and even made the teaching of the Qur’an, an iron ring, or shoes as the dowry. Therefore, the scholars have declared it permissible for anything from which benefit can be derived to be considered as dowry.

Setting a specific amount such as ten or thirty or more or less dirhams as a limit for dowry is also not correct. In some countries like India, Pakistan, etc., the amount equivalent to five hundred dirhams in rupees, which at one time used to be one hundred and twenty-five rupees, is considered Sunnah, and setting the dowry at one hundred and twenty-five rupees is also not correct. Rather, the dowry should be according to the mutual agreement of both parties, in accordance with the husband’s means, and suitable to the time and circumstances. In this era, one hundred rupees has no value, so if one or two or five thousand rupees is not excessive for the husband’s means, then there is no harm in setting such a dowry, insha’Allah. However, if the groom is poor and cannot pay such an amount, then the dowry should be kept low. It should not be that a dowry of one or two lakh is set just for the name, and the husband never pays it in his lifetime. There are two types of dowry: mu’ajjil (prompt) and mu’akhkhar (deferred). Mu’akhkhar: that is, delayed; some can be paid before consummation and some after. Mu’ajjil: it should be given immediately at the time of the first meeting.

And the amount given as dowry is solely the right of the woman (wife); neither the father nor the husband has any share in it. The woman may spend it as she wishes, in whatever manner she desires.