Mahr in the Context of The Islamic Marriage Contract

By: Raja El Habti

“Mahr is the obligatory gift given by the husband to the wife at the time of marriage. It is an expression of the man’s love, respect, and serious commitment to his wife to be and to married life. It is the right of the woman, and hers alone. She may do with it as she chooses. The Qur’an enjoins men to give their prospective wives a mahr upon contracting the marriage: “And give the women [upon marriage] their gifts graciously (ṣaduqātihinna niḥlah). But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.”