Is the Value of the Mahr Reckoned at the Time of the Contract or at the Time of Payment?

Question

In the contract, the mahr was fixed as nine uqiyas (an uqiya is a unit of weight) of pure red gold. Will the value of the pure gold be reckoned as of the time of the contract or at its value at the later time of demand? Kindly explain according to the rulings of the noble Shari‘a and be rewarded by Allah.

Answer

When a specific quantity of pure gold has been made the mahr, paying it is wajib. If it is not paid and its value is given instead, then it is as though the husband is now constructively (hukman) buying from the wife this pure gold to which she is entitled and paying her its price. So the matter will be settled according to whatever the price is now.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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