Q: I have one question regarding Mahr. The family of the bride wants to put 3 million BDT in the nikah contract which is totally unpractical and unreasonable. They are saying I don’t have to pay any penny but they won’t allow anything less in the contract. They might be asking this as a security in case a divorce takes place! How funny. Anyway, I would like to know the ruling on this. The bride has agreed to a much lesser amount which I can afford to pay. So if I sign the paper just to satisfy their parents and then I pay to the bride according to her wish will I be debt free? Will my marriage be valid?
A: If the bride is pleased to accept the amount of mahr which is in vogue in her paternal family (i.e. the amount of mahr girls of her match in her paternal family are given at the time of nikaah), then it will be permissible for you to marry her on that amount. Alternatively you may accept the amount the family of the girl is demanding and get married. After the nikaah if your wife wishes to forgive you of her own accord and accept a lesser amount of mahr (provided there is no coercion and force upon her), then she may do so.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)