Mahr

In Islam, mahr (Arabic: مهر‎; also transliterated mehr, meher, or mahrieh) is an amount of money (but not necessarily) paid by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage (nikah) which she can spend as she wishes. The English concept of "dower", the gift of funds to the wife in the event she becomes widowed, closely approximates mahr, but is not. Mahr is a mandatory gift (or promise thereof) given by the groom to the bride either at time of marriage or later. Unlike a bride price, however, it is given directly to the bride and not to her father. Although the gift is often money, it can be anything agreed upon by bride and groom such as a house or viable business that is put in her name and can be run and owned entirely by her if she chooses. The terms "dowry" and "bride price" are sometimes used to translate mahr, but these are misleading. There is no concept of dowry in Islam.

References in Islamic texts

The Encyclopaedia of Islam's entry on mahr states: "According to a tradition in Bukhari, the mahr is an essential condition for the legality of the marriage: 'Every marriage without mahr is null and void'."

According to Islamic teachings in the hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), mahr is the amount to be paid by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage (nikah). It is a gift for her to spend as she wishes. It should be given according to the social status of the bride. It can be cash, jewellery or any other valuable gift. Some interpretations regard mahr as wajib (obligatory) while others regard it as sunnah or favourable.

Modern Purposes

In 2003, Rubya Mehdi published an article in which the culture of mahr among Muslims was thoroughly reviewed.

Mahr is a means of sustenance in case of a sudden death, divorce or other emergency.

See also

• Women and Islam
• Islamic marital jurisprudence