Source: Fatawa Aman Puri by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Aman Puri
Question:
What was the dowry of the Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them), and is it a sin to set a dowry higher than that?
Answer:
The Sharia has not specified a minimum or maximum amount for the dowry; whatever is agreed upon between the parties according to their status can be set as the dowry. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set the dowry for his wives at five hundred dirhams.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1426)
It is also established that the freedom of a slave girl can be made a dowry.
❀ Sayyidina Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أعتق صفية وجعل عتقها صداقها
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) freed Sayyida Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) and made her freedom her dowry."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 5086, Sahih Muslim: 1365)
If a wealthy person sets a dowry higher than that of the pure wives, it is neither a sin nor extravagance.
