#1159: Does The Bride Have A Right To Dictate The Amount That Is Paid To Her As Mahr By Her Husband?
“Sallam alaykum Ya Shiek,please on the issue of mahr that a male will pay for the approval of marriage to his spouse,in the case of which it does not have a maximum amount, I.E one can pay any amount of money he is capable,for the hand of marriage to his bride,my question is now does the bride as right to dictate or choice to utter the amount of money her husband to be has to pay for her bride price,Jazakumullahu kyhran as you answer”
ANSWER:
Wa Alaykum Salam Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuh
Alhamdulillah.
As for the one who has the right to stipulate the amount of money to be paid as Mahr, it is the bride and her Wali.
If they differ, then the judgment is the Mahru Al-Mithl (the Average Mahr in usage in the community) in such a way that if the Wali’s amount is higher than hers and hers agrees with the Mithl, then her stipulated amount is used. If hers is higher and his own agrees with the Mithl, then the Mithl is used. If both are higher than the Mithl, then the lower is used, and Allah knows best.
But know that all of these are matters of preference and they have to do with rights and responsibilities.
The best is that there should be mercy, kindness, compassion and understanding of all parties involved: groom, bride and Wali.
And Allah knows best.
Barakallahu fikum
Jazakumullahu Khayran.
Abū Āsim
28th Rabīu’th Thāni, 1443AH.
📚 IslāmNode
