What is Mahr (Dowry) in Islam?
In Islam, Mahr (often translated as dowry, though "bridal gift" is more accurate) is an obligatory gift given by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage. It is the exclusive property of the bride, to be used however she pleases, and cannot be taken by her husband or family without her explicit permission. Allah says in the Quran: "And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously." (Surah An-Nisa, 4:4).
What is Mahr Fatimi?
Mahr Fatimi is the amount of Mahr that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ set for his beloved daughter, Hazrat Fatima (RA), when she married Hazrat Ali (RA). According to scholars, this amount is equivalent to 131.25 tolas of silver, which translates to roughly 1,530.9 grams of silver. While setting the Mahr at this exact amount is considered a highly recommended Sunnah, it is not obligatory. Families can agree upon any reasonable amount based on their financial capacity.
The Minimum Mahr (Mahr-e-Shari)
Islamic jurisprudence establishes a minimum threshold for Mahr to protect the bride's dignity. In the Hanafi school of thought, the absolute minimum Mahr is 10 Dirhams, which equates to exactly 30.618 grams of silver. A marriage contract specifying less than this amount is still valid, but the husband must pay this minimum threshold regardless.
Can Mahr be Non-Monetary?
Yes. The Mahr does not strictly have to be cash or precious metals. It can be property, jewelry, a business asset, or even a non-tangible benefit, such as teaching the bride the Quran, provided it has recognized value and the bride agrees to it.