The Effects of High Bridal Gifts on Society

Question:
May Allah reward you with good. He has a second question. This questioner says: If the high costs of marriage and the exorbitance of bridal gifts stand as a stumbling block in the way of young men and women, causing them to be prevented from lawful, halal marriage and lawful relations, what can happen, and what is the solution in your view, Honorable Shaykh, from the Book and the Sunnah? Yes, this questioner says: If the high costs of marriage and the exorbitance of bridal gifts stand as a stumbling block in the way of young men and women, causing delay in lawful, halal marriage, what can happen? And what is the solution for such a matter from the Book and the Sunnah?

Answer:
The solution to this problem, which is the problem of exorbitant costs in marriage, is that Muslims should fear Allah the Exalted and abandon these exorbitant costs, especially the guardians of the girls. They should lighten the burdens that stand in the way of marriage and limit themselves to what the husband can afford and what the woman is honored with, without injustice and without overburdening. There is no merit or virtue in high bridal gifts and high costs for these people; rather, they are blamed and their reputations are tarnished. If they had feared Allah the Mighty and Majestic and lightened these burdens, they would have been a good example, and people would have praised them and prayed for their well-being. But instead, they are blamed, people pray against them, and they become a bad example. As for what young men or those in need of marriage do regarding these matters, that depends on their capacity and ability. If they can afford marriage and its costs, they should proceed with it, and the good is in that, if Allah wills. And if they cannot, they should wait until Allah the Exalted makes it easy for them, for Allah’s relief is near. But the truth is that this is a very important problem, and much has been said about it for a long time, along with attempts to address it. However, it is the weak of spirit and those who are like men but are not truly men who caused this problem through their laxity and their submission to the foolish among women and others, and to fulfilling their desires. If they had done what is obligatory upon them, cooperated to solve this problem, applied it to themselves first, and been a good example for others, the good would have been achieved and this problem, which many Muslims suffer from, would have been removed. It has caused women to remain unmarried, hindered marriage, and distorted marriage in the eyes of young men and those in need of it, or prevented them from it. Yes. May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge and benefit people through you.