Meaning and evidence
وَءَاتُواْ ٱلنِّسَآءَ صَدُقَٰتِهِنَّ نِحۡلَةٗۚ فَإِن طِبۡنَ لَكُمۡ عَن شَيۡءٖ مِّنۡهُ نَفۡسٗا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِيٓـٔٗا مَّرِيٓـٔٗاAnd give the women their dowries graciously; but if they willingly remit some of it to you, then enjoy it freely.
- It may be money, a benefit, or teaching Quran; the Prophet ﷺ married a man on teaching part of the Quran (Bukhari, Muslim).
- Prompt and deferred parts: the mahr may be split by agreement.
- No one may take it from her without her consent.
Practical tips
- Write the mahr in the contract and on paper; state the prompt and deferred portions.
- Avoid excess that burdens young couples, and avoid showing off.
- The mahr is separate from wedding costs, jewellery and gifts.
This guide is for learning, not a fatwa. Where scholars differ we show the positions of the schools; for your own situation ask a trusted scholar or Islamic centre in your country.
Frequently asked questions
What if divorce occurs before consummation?
She is entitled to half the named mahr (2:237).
Quran text and translations: QuranEnc. Hadith translations: HadeethEnc. Sources are shown on each item. Found a mistake? Tell us.