Mahr Index

Mahr is a term in Islamic jurisprudence referring to the amount paid to the woman at the time of marriage; the property or amount that a woman is entitled to by virtue of the marriage contract or consummation. Islam commands that a gift-like sum be given to the woman as a symbol of the man's desire for her. Mahr is obligatory upon the man, not the woman.

Mahr is wealth given to the woman as an expression of her value and as a social security at a critical time in her life. Since mahr is the woman's right, she can waive it and donate it to her husband. Mahr becomes obligatory upon consummation; the husband is not required to give it before that.

The man deals with matters outside the home and earns a living. The woman manages the home and raises the children. Therefore, all financial obligations (including mahr and maintenance/nafaqa) are the man's duty.

Mahr is not one of the pillars or conditions of a marriage contract. A marriage contracted without mahr is valid, but the woman is then entitled to "mahr al-mithl" (the equivalent of what similar women receive).

Maximum: There is no maximum. Minimum: According to the Hanafi school, it is 10 silver dirhams (approximately the value of 2 sacrificial sheep or 32 grams of silver). The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools set no minimum.

Any type of property, money, jewellery, real estate, or the right to benefit from something that is lawful to sell or use can serve as mahr.

1. Mahr al-Musamma: The mahr determined by the spouses. - Prompt: Paid at the time of the marriage contract. - Deferred: To be paid later (upon divorce or death). 2. Mahr al-Mithl: Estimated based on what similar women in the bride's family received.

Mahr is the woman's economic guarantee — a "reserve fund". It supports her in building a new life in the event of divorce or the husband's death.