It is permissible to defer part of the mahr
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The second question of fatwa number ( 21493 )
Q2: I proposed to a girl, and she remained engaged to me for a long time, but I was unable to marry her due to a lack of financial means. Should I break off the engagement, even though if I do, it will be difficult for anyone to propose to her according to the custom in my country, Sudan? What should I do?
A2: If the matter is as you described, inform her father of the situation. If he is willing to wait for a period you both agree upon, or to marry you off with whatever portion of the mahr is available upfront and the rest deferred to a specific date, then do so. If both options are impossible, then leave her; due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:286] And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q2: I proposed to a girl, and she remained engaged to me for a long time, but I was unable to marry her due to a lack of financial means. Should I break off the engagement, even though if I do, it will be difficult for anyone to propose to her according to the custom in my country, Sudan? What should I do?
A2: If the matter is as you described, inform her father of the situation. If he is willing to wait for a period you both agree upon, or to marry you off with whatever portion of the mahr is available upfront and the rest deferred to a specific date, then do so. If both options are impossible, then leave her; due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلا وُسْعَهَا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.