Mahr and Dowry: Two Very Different Concepts
“Mahr and Dowry: Two Very Different Concepts”
Thesis: By defining and explaining Mahr and Dowry, then differentiating between the two, one will gain a better understanding of each concept. Mahr and Dowry are two concepts practiced by most Muslims, from both the past and present. The concept is chosen according to the tradition or practice of their family or community. They are vastly different in both their process and outcome, which therefore results in different scenarios. By defining and explaining each concept, and then pointing out their differences, one will come to greater knowledge and clearer understanding of each of these practices.
“The groom must make a bridal gift, called a Mahr, to his wife” (Gulevich 218). The Mahr or dower is the groom’s gift to his prospective bride. The Mahr could be anything from jewelry, money or anything that could be considered valuable or special enough to give the bride. It could be a modest gift or a gift large enough to substantiate the social status of the bride. There are no specified systems or legalized documents in place dictating what the minimum or maximum value or price the gift should be. The Quran tells its followers, “And give unto the women, (whom ye marry) free gift of their marriage portions; but if they of their own accord remit unto you a part thereof, then ye are welcome to absorb it (in your wealth)” (Surah 4:4). Before his daughter Fatimah was to be married, the Prophet Muhammad requested from Ali, his future son-in-law, to give his daughter a bride gift. Ali did not have anything to give to Fatimah, but he was extremely knowledgeable and proficient in the Holy Quran. “It would be valid as a dowry to teach his bride how to read the Quran”(Al-Tuwajre 17). In the eyes of the Prophet Muhammad, it was a sufficient and very special gift for his daughter to receive from Ali.
Islam does not consider marriage sacramental like in other religions. It is seen as a contract of obligations and
Thesis: By defining and explaining Mahr and Dowry, then differentiating between the two, one will gain a better understanding of each concept. Mahr and Dowry are two concepts practiced by most Muslims, from both the past and present. The concept is chosen according to the tradition or practice of their family or community. They are vastly different in both their process and outcome, which therefore results in different scenarios. By defining and explaining each concept, and then pointing out their differences, one will come to greater knowledge and clearer understanding of each of these practices.
“The groom must make a bridal gift, called a Mahr, to his wife” (Gulevich 218). The Mahr or dower is the groom’s gift to his prospective bride. The Mahr could be anything from jewelry, money or anything that could be considered valuable or special enough to give the bride. It could be a modest gift or a gift large enough to substantiate the social status of the bride. There are no specified systems or legalized documents in place dictating what the minimum or maximum value or price the gift should be. The Quran tells its followers, “And give unto the women, (whom ye marry) free gift of their marriage portions; but if they of their own accord remit unto you a part thereof, then ye are welcome to absorb it (in your wealth)” (Surah 4:4). Before his daughter Fatimah was to be married, the Prophet Muhammad requested from Ali, his future son-in-law, to give his daughter a bride gift. Ali did not have anything to give to Fatimah, but he was extremely knowledgeable and proficient in the Holy Quran. “It would be valid as a dowry to teach his bride how to read the Quran”(Al-Tuwajre 17). In the eyes of the Prophet Muhammad, it was a sufficient and very special gift for his daughter to receive from Ali.
Islam does not consider marriage sacramental like in other religions. It is seen as a contract of obligations and