A Mahr Beyond the Husband’s Means and the Intention Not to Pay It

Question

What is the Shari‘a law regarding mahr? For nowadays it very often happens that the husband does not have the means, yet the girl’s relatives (heirs) insist and have a large mahr fixed. And some also think: if the mahr is beyond one’s means, let it lie — nothing is going to be taken or given anyway. What is the ruling in such a case?

Answer

The Shari‘a has set the minimum amount of mahr at ten dirhams. There is no upper limit: the two parties may fix as much as they wish and consider within their means. Fixing more than one’s standing for renown and fame is not approved by the Shari‘a; it is extremely blameworthy and bad, and a prohibition of it has come in the hadiths.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.