❀ Is the Ruling of Marriage Without Dowry (Mahr) Specific to the Prophet ﷺ or General? ❀
In Tafsīr Mazharī (p. 401) it is mentioned that if a woman offers herself in marriage to the Prophet ﷺ without dowry (i.e., as a gift), this was a special ruling for the Prophet ﷺ. However, it is also written there that the meaning of "وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا" is that a woman may give herself in marriage to a man without dowry, and this would also be permissible. Thus, this ruling would not be exclusive to the Prophet ﷺ but general for all Muslim men.
The question is: Is this ruling really not exclusive to the Prophet ﷺ and general for all men?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an regarding the Prophet ﷺ:
﴿خَالِصَةٗ لَّكَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۗ﴾
(Al-Aḥzāb: 50)
"This is exclusively for you, not for the believers."
This verse makes it absolutely clear that if a woman offered herself to the Prophet ﷺ for marriage and the Prophet ﷺ accepted her, then this was a special ruling specific to him ﷺ.
In such a case, the condition of dowry (mahr) did not apply.
For other Muslims, however, it is not permissible to marry without dowry.
Therefore, if someone interprets this verse —
﴿خَالِصَةٗ لَّكَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۗ﴾
(Al-Aḥzāb: 50)
— as a ruling that is general for all Muslims, then he has erred.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question
In Tafsīr Mazharī (p. 401) it is mentioned that if a woman offers herself in marriage to the Prophet ﷺ without dowry (i.e., as a gift), this was a special ruling for the Prophet ﷺ. However, it is also written there that the meaning of "وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا" is that a woman may give herself in marriage to a man without dowry, and this would also be permissible. Thus, this ruling would not be exclusive to the Prophet ﷺ but general for all Muslim men.
The question is: Is this ruling really not exclusive to the Prophet ﷺ and general for all men?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an regarding the Prophet ﷺ:
﴿خَالِصَةٗ لَّكَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۗ﴾
(Al-Aḥzāb: 50)
"This is exclusively for you, not for the believers."
This verse makes it absolutely clear that if a woman offered herself to the Prophet ﷺ for marriage and the Prophet ﷺ accepted her, then this was a special ruling specific to him ﷺ.
In such a case, the condition of dowry (mahr) did not apply.
For other Muslims, however, it is not permissible to marry without dowry.
Therefore, if someone interprets this verse —
﴿خَالِصَةٗ لَّكَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۗ﴾
(Al-Aḥzāb: 50)
— as a ruling that is general for all Muslims, then he has erred.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
