Determining the Mahr
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The first question of Fatwa number ( 3424 )
Q1: What is the minimum and maximum limit for the mahr, and is increasing it forbidden?
A1: We do not know of any evidence from the Book or from the Sunnah that specifies a limit for the mahr. The evidence that came from the Qur'an includes what indicates the permissibility of paying a large mahr, and what is general, encompassing both small and large amounts. From the former is the saying of Allah the Exalted:[An-Nisa 4:20] the verse. And from
the latter is the saying of Allah the Exalted:[An-Nisa 4:24] and the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Ma'idah 5:5] the verse. Indeed, the terms "wealth" and "wages" are general, applying to both small and large amounts. As for the evidence that came from the Sunnah, it points to various incidents in which there was a significant difference in mahr; such as the mahr of the wives of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his daughters (may Allah be pleased with them), and what is known of the mahr of the wives of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), such as marrying on the basis of the Quran that the groom possesses,
marrying on the basis of two sandals, on the weight of a date pit of gold, or on four awaqi. Whoever wishes to look into this should refer to the two Sahihs, the four Sunans, and others. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q1: What is the minimum and maximum limit for the mahr, and is increasing it forbidden?
A1: We do not know of any evidence from the Book or from the Sunnah that specifies a limit for the mahr. The evidence that came from the Qur'an includes what indicates the permissibility of paying a large mahr, and what is general, encompassing both small and large amounts. From the former is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
But if you want to replace one wife with another and you have given one of them a great amount [in gifts], do not take [back] from it anything
وَإِنْ أَرَدْتُمُ اسْتِبْدَالَ زَوْجٍ مَكَانَ زَوْجٍ وَآتَيْتُمْ إِحْدَاهُنَّ قِنْطَارًا فَلا تَأْخُذُوا مِنْهُ شَيْئًاthe latter is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأُحِلَّ لَكُمْ مَا وَرَاءَ ذَلِكُمْ أَنْ تَبْتَغُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهِ مِنْهُنَّ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً وَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا تَرَاضَيْتُمْ بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الْفَرِيضَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًاThis day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers
الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍmarrying on the basis of two sandals, on the weight of a date pit of gold, or on four awaqi. Whoever wishes to look into this should refer to the two Sahihs, the four Sunans, and others. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.