Excessive Mahr is a sign of Jahl

Ultimately, the Mahr is a matter of negotiation and agreement between the bride and groom, taking into consideration their personal circumstances and needs, cultural norms, and financial capabilities. However, Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyāh rahimahullah said: “Whoever increases his daughter’s Mahr beyond the Prophet’s ﷺ daughter’s is a Jāḥil (ignorant).” [Majmū’ Al-Fatāwā, 32/194]

‎What was the Mahr of the Prophet's wives and daughters? 

 

قَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ رضي الله عنه: لاَ تُغَالُوا صَدَاقَ النِّسَاءِ؛ فَإِنَّهَا لَوْ كَانَتْ مَكْرُمَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا أَوْ تَقْوًى عِنْدَ اللهِ كَانَ أَوْلاَكُمْ وَأَحَقَّكُمْ بِهَا مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ، مَا أَصْدَقَ امْرَأَةً مِنْ نِسَائِهِ وَلاَ أُصْدِقَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ بَنَاتِهِ أَكْثَرَ مِنِ اثْنَتَىْ عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً، وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُثَقِّلُ صَدَقَةَ امْرَأَتِهِ حَتَّى يَكُونَ لَهَا عَدَاوَةٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَيَقُولُ قَدْ كَلِفْتُ إِلَيْكِ عَلَقَ الْقِرْبَةِ أَوْ عَرَقَ الْقِرْبَةِ.‏ 

  

Narrated ’Umar ibn Al-Khaṭṭāb: “Do not go to extremes with regard to the dowries of women, for if that were a sign of honor and dignity in this world or a sign of Taqwa before Allāh, then Muḥammad ﷺ would have done that before you. But he did not give any of his wives and none of his daughters were given more than twelve ūqiyyah [around 480 Dirhams (1 Dirham = 3g of silver), and in the ḥadīth of Ā'ishah (Muslim) she stated that the Mahr given to the Prophet's wives was 500 Dirhams]. A man may increase dowry until he feels resentment against her and says: “You cost me everything I own,” or, “You caused me a great deal of hardship.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, 1887 - graded "Sahih" by Sheikh Albāni] 

NOTE: At the same time, it is unwise to make the Mahr so low that unscrupulous men get married too casually, not understanding the value of marriage. This can lead them into thinking that they can get an easy divorce with little consequence if things don’t work out.

Share: