The Value of the Mahr Changed After the Nikah

Question

Zayd’s nikah with Hinda was concluded for a mahr debt (dayn mahr) of one thousand rupees in the coinage current at the time. At that time the rupee was current in various forms: the rupee of Victoria, the rupee of Edward VII, the rupee of George V, the rupee of George VI, and paper notes. Now, after twenty or twenty-five years, Zayd wishes to pay Hinda’s mahr debt.

Answer

What will be meant is the coin that was current at the time of the contract and in which most transactions were made in that milieu. If silver predominated in it, then that quantity of silver will be due. If silver did not predominate in it, then the value it had at the time of the contract will be due.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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