The Mahr Is Not Dropped Without the Wife’s Consent

Question

Hinda appointed an arbiter and sent him to Zayd; he admonished Zayd at length, but it had no effect on Zayd at all. The arbiter asked Zayd to settle the matter according to the Shari‘a and demanded maintenance. Zayd replied: “A Shari‘a decision applies when the Shari‘a is acted upon — in that situation maintenance and mahr can be given. Now, in the new civilization, where is maintenance and where is mahr?” The arbiter said to Zayd: “Do you believe in Allah, in the Messenger and in the Qur’an?

Answer

The words Zayd said are extremely grave, and the words Bakr said are even more dangerous: by saying such things faith (iman) departs. Therefore it is lazim for both Zayd and Bakr, as a precaution, to renew their faith (tajdid iman) and to renew their nikah.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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