Exaggeration in Bridal Gifts

Question:
One of the brothers, who appears to be a young man, says: Exaggeration in the mahr (bridal gift) is one of the causes of delaying marriage for both men and women. What is your honorable opinion on this, and the urging to avoid exaggeration in mahr? May Allah reward you.

Answer:
The mahr is one of the things obligatory in the nikah (marriage contract); it is a right for the woman, a bridal gift for her, and an honor for her. It has no fixed limit. It is permissible for the mahr to be a small amount of money from what is beneficial, and it is permissible for it to be a benefit from the permissible benefits, such as teaching her or other permissible benefits. It has no limit, but what is required is moderation in the mahr, and one should not exaggerate in it, because, as the questioner mentioned, this makes the matter of marriage difficult and delays it. It is not in the interest of the man, nor in the interest of the woman. There is encouragement in the texts to facilitate marriage, and 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) prohibited exaggeration in the amounts of mahr. The mahr of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for his wives and his daughters were light mahr. In the expiation of the mahr and exaggeration in it, there are many harms, and it is not in the interest of both parties, nor in the interest of society.