What Is the Purpose of Mahr, and What Amount Is Considered Reasonable?
Question
What is the point of mehr? And what is a reasonable amount? I know it does not equal a woman’s value per se, and it should be a gift, but many people say that the amount should be enough in case the marriage ends so the woman can sustain herself to get back on her feet. But it’s also sunnah to not make it a large amount. Where is the middle ground?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Mahr (sadaq) is an essential part of the marriage contract. It is not a price for the woman, nor a payment in exchange for marriage.
Allah describes mahr as:
“A gift (nihla) from the husband to the wife.” (Surat al Nisa 4:4)
The word nihla means a gift given willingly, honoring the woman, giving her financial security, and marking seriousness and commitment.
Its purposes include:
- Showing respect and honor to the bride
- Demonstrating financial responsibility
- Providing the wife with her own independent wealth
- Establishing a symbol of the husband’s good intentions
Mahr is therefore a right, not a burden.
2. How Scholars Viewed the Amount of Mahr
The Qur’an and Sunnah place no fixed amount.
Mahr can be large or small depending on culture, circumstances, and ability.
However, the Sunnah encourages moderation, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The most blessed marriage is the one with the least expense.” (Ahmad)
At the same time, mahr is also a woman’s financial right, and historically it served as a form of protection and stability if the marriage ended.
So the Sharia balances two goals:
- Avoiding hardship and excessive demands
- Ensuring the woman has something meaningful and beneficial
3. The Middle Ground Between Excess and Negligence
The middle position—supported across the classical jurists is:
- Mahr must be something of value
- It should be within the groom’s ability
- It should not burden him financially
- It should be meaningful enough to show respect and offer some benefit
This avoids both extremes:
- Very small amounts that do not honor the woman
- Excessively high amounts that cause resentment or debt
The reasonable middle amount varies by:
- Local culture
- Financial ability of the groom
- Expectations of the bride’s family
- Economic norms of the community
Some scholars recommend:
- Enough for a significant gift, savings, or gold
- But not an amount that causes hardship or delays marriage
4. Relevant Usul Principle
العرف محكم
Custom has legal weight in determining what is reasonable.
This principle means that the reasonable amount of mahr is influenced by local norms what people in that society consider a dignified, balanced mahr.
Custom sets the benchmark for:
- What is not excessive
- What is not inadequate
Thus Islam leaves room for flexibility across cultures and financial situations.
5. Final Ruling
The purpose of mahr is to honor the wife and provide her with a meaningful gift of independence and security. The middle ground is to choose an amount that:
- Has real value
- Is considerate of the husband’s means
- Reflects the dignity of the bride
- Follows the local custom without burden or exaggeration
This fulfills both the sunnah of simplicity and the wisdom of ensuring the wife receives a valuable right.
And Allah knows best.