Paying the Mahr in Instalments, and Maintenance

Question

Zayd, compelled by the bad character of Zahida Bibi, divorced her (talaq) during her pregnancy, in its ninth (9) month, and is not ready to pay her mahr. But Zahida’s family on her parents’ side, putting heavy pressure, want to take the mahr in one lump sum. Yet Zayd is constrained by his poverty. Because of Zahida’s bad character and meanness, Zayd’s domestic life had become an image of hell. Zayd works in a certain place for only 120 rupees.

Answer

Before the marriage it was necessary to investigate the girl’s character and religiousness. This was neglected, and the consequences had to be borne. Then, before giving the divorce, it was necessary to consider how the mahr would be paid, from where the maintenance of the ‘idda (nafaqa of ‘idda)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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