This question is about payment of Mahr. A Muslim lady was divorced about 40 years back. Husband did not pay the Mahr to her. Now the husband wants to pay the Mahr to her. Please answer following question about this: 1. Is it correct for the lady to accept the Mahr amount from a husband who divorced her long back? 2. Is it mandatory for her to accept the Mahr amount? Will she commit any sin if she refuses to take the money and also do not forgive him? 3. Suppose that Mahr Amount was Rs. 1000/-. Ideally, husband should have paid it 40 years back. Suppose that prices have gone up 100 times since then. If the man is offering to pay her Rs. 1000 * 100 = Rs. 100000/-, is it correct for her to accept this much amount?
Answer:
(Fatwa: 1209/918/H=1431)
(1) It is alright.
(2) She should either accept it or forgive and inform him, one of them is necessary.
(3) She would be sinful.
(4) Mahr is a debt, and when the debt is in cash, the rise and fall of its value will not be considered at the time of payment, rather it is wajib to pay only the amount which was agreed upon. It is not lawful to demand extra amount. Yes, if husband gives extra on his own willingly and without pressure and there is no evil in it, there is no harm in it according to Shariah.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband