Is Dowry Haram In Islam: The system of dowry is quite famous all around the world. Dowry is not a new concept, it is existing from centuries between different religions. In the modern world today, still dowry is highly practised by most of the people.
The main question arises in everybody’s mind, whether Islam also allows to give or take dowry? Is dowry not haram in Islam? Well in todays blog post, we’ll answer your each and every question regarding the topic of dowry in Islam.
Is Dowry Haram In Islam?
Yes, Dowry is completely haram in the religion of Islam. In Islam, the family of the girl should not even use a penny for the wedding expenses. The responsibility of wedding expenses is totally on the man, without pressuring the girl’s family.
The global dowry system promotes groom taking of wealth from the family of the bride in order to marry her. In todays world, this is highly practised among everyone, but when it comes to Islam, it is clearly prohibited.
Any Muslim man who takes dowry from the spouse family then it is considered a sin in Islam. Instead of girl, the man needs to give dowery to the girl in order to marry her as per Islam. This is the command of Allah SWT, which is called Mahr.
What is Mahr in Islam?
In order to marry the potential spouse, the man needs to pay the mahr to the girl. This is an obligation for marriage in Islam. Muslim families cannot fix the marriage without the discussion of mahr. Allah SWT has commanded men to pay the mahr, in order to marry the bride.
And give the women (on marriage) their dower as a free gift; but if they of their own good pleasure remit any part of it to you take it and enjoy it with right good cheer. Quran (al-Nisa 4:4).
The above verse from the Quran is a proof that Mahr is the right of every women in Islam. It is a amount of money, decided upon mutual consent of both the parties and paid by the man to the women, in order to marry her.
This amount of Mahr is a security amount for the future of the women. In case the marriage is not successful and it leads to divorce. Then with the help of the Mahr amount, women can be stable financially in such stage of her life.
How Much Mahr is Required For Marriage in Islam?
There is no such limit for the Mahr. In simple words, it can be little demanding from the women and it can also be quite less, which is easily comfortable for the man’s pocket.
To be honest, the amount of Mahr totally depends upon both the parties. The families of both bride and groom mutually decide the Mahr amount. Still the women is the main owner of deciding the amount of Mahr she wants. Her consent is must for the given Mahr.
It is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, if the Mahr is as low as possible to make the nikah (marriage) easy. In Mahr, a women can demand as per her convenience but she also has to make sure it is not over burden upon men.
What are The Examples of Mahr?
Here is the listed examples of Mahr, which a man can give to her potential wife by mutual consent:
- Money
- Property
- A verse of Quran
- Jewellery
- Clothes
- Copy of Quran
- Even a Cat
These are just few examples of Mahr. As it can be different, depending upon the couples and their situation. Remember the best Mahr are those, which makes the nikah (marriage) easy. As this is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
What is The Best Time To Give Mahr?
Mahr can be given to women in three ways:
- Immediate
- In Instalments
- After the marriage
Is Mahr Obligation For Marriage in Islam?
Yes, Mahr is an obligation upon a Muslim men in order to marry any women. Without Mahr, marriage in Islam cannot take place. Both goes hand in hand.
Any person cannot change this condition of giving Mahr because this is a command from Allah SWT for all the Muslims.
Can a Husband Take Back Mahr from Wife?
No, the husband cannot ask back the Mahr given to the wife. She is the only owner of that Mahr and it is her haq (right). This is the haq given to her from Allah SWT. So the husband has no right of asking back Mahr from his wife.
Is Mahr and Dowry Same?
Many people have this misconception, but this is not true. Mahr and Dowery are completely opposite and no where related with each other.
Dowry: Dowry is the wealth or amount taken from the family of the girl during marriage. This dowry system is highly popular and the most practiced around the world. This type of dowry system is clearly haram and prohibited in Islam.
Mahr: Mahr is the wealth or amount given to the girl from the man in order to proceed with the marriage ahead. Mahr is an obligation upon Muslims from Allah SWT. It is for the betterment and for the security of the women’s future.
Why Some Muslims Take Dowry From Women?
Taking dowry from women is Haram in Islam. Still you can see many of our Muslim brothers from India and Pakistan are involved in this Haram practice.
In many Asian countries, it is a cultural ritual to take dowry from the bride’s family. Many Muslim brothers are also involved into this cultural activity, but this is a huge sin as per Islam.
Being a Muslim, you cannot get involved into such things, as this is totally against the Islamic Values. Some Muslims don’t even care about the Haq Mahr, but they care about receiving the dowry from a women.
Any Muslim who takes dowry from the family of his wife, then it is a clear sin. As they have no shame in committing this sin. In Islam, on the occasions of marriage, there should not be any financial burden on the family of the bride. Muslim youth should be encouraged towards giving Mahr, not towards receiving dowry.
Final Thoughts
No doubt! Dowry is haram in Islam. Islam promotes giving of Mahr to the bride. Muslims cannot take dowry from the bride’s family. In Islam, if a boy wants to marry a girl then he has to prepare the Mahr and give it to the bride as per their mutual consent. Taking of wealth as a form of dowry from the bride’s family is clearly prohibited in Islam. It has nothing to do with the Islamic values.
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