Mahr, the Bridal Gift in a Marriage

Mahr is an Arabic islamic term used to denote a bridal gift that is given to the bride by the groom at the occasion of marriage. This is an Islamic obligation upon the husband. A husband receives great blessings from Almighty God for fulling this Qur’anic injunction in obedience to Him.

In Islam, mahr is the right of the wife (bride). The husband (groom) offers an amount, commodity or service that is then negotiated and finally agreed by the bride (wife). Technically, this is payable to the bride immediately upon the completion of the nikāḥ / religious marriage ceremony.

If the wife wishes, she may agree to take a portion of it on an immediate basis and receive the remainder in installments or at a later stage.

If the wife wishes to forsake or forgive her right of the mahr, she may voluntarily do so.

“Give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.” – Qur’an 4:4
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